Nurses say patients face ‘torture’ in a ‘broken’ system of NHS corridor care
Department of Health and Social Care: "No one should receive care in a corridor…we are determined to end it.”
Nurses across the South have shared stories of the "broken system" of corridor care that "tortures" patients.
The Royal College of Nursing says collapsing care standards are pushing staff morale almost "past the point of no return".
The union contacted thousands of nurses who took part in a major report on corridor care last year to see if they're still providing this type of care.
Nursing staff told the RCN they treat patients in freezing corridors, dining rooms, staff kitchens, offices, seminar rooms, family rooms, deceased viewing rooms and discharge lounges.
One nurse in the South said: "We would not treat animals like this at a vets - so why in a hospital?"
Another nurse in the South said they suffered nightmares after a patient died in a lounge which had been turned into a ward.
RCN general secretary Professor Nicola Ranger called on the Government to take control by investing in more beds, nurses, community services and social care.
"This new testimony from nursing staff reveals once again the devastating human consequences of corridor care, with patients forced to endure conditions which have no place in our NHS," she said.
"The fact remains that there can be no safe, dignified care delivered in a corridor, store room or dining room, but that has become the norm.
"The tragedy is that every day, people are coming to harm just when they need excellent care the most. That is heartbreaking and deeply troubling.
"Nursing staff declared a national emergency on the issue of corridor care over 18 months ago, but far from being eradicated as a practice it's become a permanent fixture, spreading throughout hospitals and beyond emergency departments.
"It's taking a terrible toll on staff, but ministers mustn't allow them to lose hope."
A YouGov survey of 2,150 UK adults found 69% believed the Government's pledge to eradicate corridor care in England by the "end of parliament" is "too slow".
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "No one should receive care in a corridor - the situation we inherited is unacceptable and undignified, and we are determined to end it.
"Staff, including nurses, are under immense pressure, and we recognise the dedication and professionalism of those keeping patients safe and delivering the best care they can.
"We have taken immediate steps to address these issues including investing £450 million to expand urgent and emergency care services, expanding vaccination programmes, preparing for winter earlier than ever before, building 40 new same-day emergency care centres and 15 mental health crisis centres.
"At the same time, NHS England is working closely with trusts to reduce variation, tackle inconsistencies, improve data collection and reduce discharge delays, alongside social care colleagues."