Overview
- The Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s president warns corridor treatment is now widespread, with only a few hospitals avoiding it and staff reporting burnout and moral injury.
- Official NHS England data show 50,648 patients in November waited over 12 hours from a decision to admit to getting a bed.
- The college estimates more than 16,600 deaths last year were linked to very long waits for admission from A&E.
- Pressure has intensified after a five-day festive slowdown in GP, inpatient and community services, compounded by higher flu levels, cold‑weather health alerts and the effects of recent strikes.
- Health secretary Wes Streeting has pledged to end corridor care by the next general election, while NHS England and the Department of Health say work is under way to free beds and improve flow.