Ending corridor care
How and why to call it out
Corridor care is bad for patients and bad for health care staff.
Treating people in inappropriate spaces is unsafe, undignified and unacceptable.
We brought together a coalition of trade unions, professional bodies, charities and patient groups to write to the UK government and NHS England to demand action and the introduction of mandatory reporting to improve patient care.
We’ve also published a devastating report sharing the experiences of our members who are being forced to deliver care in inappropriate settings, detailing the negative impact on them and their patients.
Corridor care must not be normalised. If it is happening at your workplace, we’ll support you to raise concerns.
Nothing about corridor ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥˜careÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™ resembles caring
Just one patient being treated without privacy or dignity is one too many. But our members tell us that they're forced to examine and treat patients in public spaces, often with no access to life-saving equipment.
Patients are left feeling exposed, vulnerable and violated. Nursing staff are left feeling stressed, powerless and ready to leave the profession.
This goes beyond corridors. We're seeing patients receiving care in car parks and break rooms, and being triaged in storerooms. It goes beyond hospitals too. We're seeing cases in primary and social care, public health and even criminal justice settings. Every one of our half a million members should feel empowered to call it out when they see it.
Call it out to stamp it out
If you deliver corridor care
Report it as an incident
The NMC Code requires you to report concerns immediately through a Datix or other local incident form. If nursing staff consistently report corridor care, decision makers should take notice.
If you receive corridor care
Complain to your care provider
We can't allow corridor care to be overlooked and normalised. That's why we urge patients and the public to make a complaint if it happens to you. There are several ways to make a complaint.
Get informed
Use our resources to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools you need to challenge unsafe practices in your workplace:
- Raising concerns and corridor care template letters
- Raising concerns toolkit (also available as a downloadable publication)
- Corridor care and safe staffing member checklist
- Advice for lead nurses in an operational crisis
- Reps hub – Health and safety A to Z
- Reps hub – Informal ward walk checklist for stewards and learning reps
Our reports on corridor care
Our reports, based on member experiences, show the true scale and depth of the corridor care crisis ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ from its shocking impact on patients to its effect on workplaces.
We highlight a system in crisis and set out avenues for change.
Want to get involved? Become a Health and Safety rep
Watch: "Staff are at breaking point"Â
Our General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger explains the devastating impact of corridor care on nursing staff and patients and calls on governments to take bold action to recover patient care by investing in the NHS and building a strong nursing workforce.
Latest news on corridor care
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11 Dec 2024
ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥˜Without nursing, you cannot succeedÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™, RCN General Secretary tells MPs
Professor Nicola Ranger appeared in front of a cross-party committee of MPs to comment on the future of the NHS.
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21 Oct 2024
Nursing must be at heart of plan to fix NHS, says RCN, as public consultation begins
Members urged to share expert views to shape 10-year vision for the NHS in England.
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18 Sep 2024
Corridor care: NHS trusts in England to monitor effect on patient harm
Following our calls for corridor care to be a ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥˜never eventÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™, new NHS England guidance says care outside of a normal cubical or ward environment should not be normalised.
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We want to hear your experiences so we can campaign for change.
