Nearly 3,000 patients per day required care in hospital corridors or makeshift treatment areas in England last month, as per recent statistics. This is the first time such data has been made public, shedding light on the challenges faced by the NHS in addressing what officials deem as “unsafe” and “unacceptable” practices. Corridor care refers to patients waiting over 45 minutes for suitable care placement, with a government commitment to eliminate this practice by 2029.
The issue of corridor care extends to A&E departments, corridors, side-rooms, and makeshift treatment areas where patients may lack proper equipment for safety and dignity maintenance. The data from May revealed an average of 2,241 patients daily experienced corridor care in A&E, while 669 patients faced similar challenges on hospital wards. Analysis by the NHS identified specific trusts accounting for a significant portion of corridor care cases in A&E and hospitals.
Health Secretary James Murray emphasized the need to eradicate corridor care, labeling it as “undignified” and “unacceptable.” The latest NHS figures indicate a rise in the waiting list for routine hospital treatments in England after six months of decline. Approximately 7.22 million treatments were pending at the end of April, affecting 6.11 million patients, marking an increase from the previous month.
Tim Gardner from the Health Foundation acknowledged the efforts of NHS staff in maintaining care amidst challenges, including a heatwave and doctor strikes. The statistics also highlighted ongoing pressure on urgent and emergency care services, with patient waiting times falling short of NHS targets. Additionally, the data revealed instances of corridor care in NHS hospitals, emphasizing the need for workforce recruitment and management improvements to support the government’s healthcare ambitions.
Tragically, two children in England lost their lives to measles this year, with the UK Health Security Agency reporting one death due to acute measles and another linked to the late effects of the disease. Measles cases continue to circulate, with outbreaks in London and the West Midlands contributing to the 736 cases recorded so far in 2026. The majority of cases involved unvaccinated children under the age of 10, underscoring the importance of vaccination efforts to curb the spread of preventable diseases.
