‘Lack of action condemning patients to corridor care’ says SAM president (26 February)

Commenting on a survey by the Royal College of Physicians (26 February) which found 80% of UK doctors reported being forced to treat patients in unsafe spaces, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine said: “These findings, while shocking, are not unexpected as the issue of corridor care is one we and many others have raised consistently over recent years – not just months.

“These are vulnerable acute medical patients with conditions such as cancer and heart disease, often older, who are being subjected to degrading corridor care and inevitable harm despite the best efforts of staff.

“The fundamental problems of insufficient workforce and capacity remain the root cause and need long term investment alongside essential transformation changes outlined by medical bodies and royal colleges.

“The Secretary of State has said previously that he will never accept or tolerate care in corridors, yet the measures needed to change that direction – increased capacity, workforce and improvements in social care – have so far been avoided. 

“This lack of action is condemning many more patients to care in corridors and the current trajectory already suggests it is going to be worse next year not better, meaning this “temporary” issue is becoming a worrying new normal.”