A stark investigation has found that the practice of treating patients in hospital corridors has become so entrenched that many NHS trusts are now installing permanent fixtures like plug sockets and emergency call bells in hallways.
The 'Normalised' Reality of Corridor Care
The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) conducted visits to 13 hospitals between August and December 2025, with input from four more. In every case, corridors were being used regularly for patient care. Senior staff admitted they 'could not avoid' using these adapted temporary spaces.
Adaptations observed included the installation of emergency call bells, plug sockets for medical equipment, patient call bells, and dedicated communication systems. While some senior figures opposed the changes for fear of normalising the practice, frontline doctors and nurses described corridor care as the 'best worse' option, with the worst alternatives being leaving people at home, in ambulances, or unseen in crowded waiting rooms.
Patient Experiences and Expert Warnings
The human cost of this crisis was highlighted by patient advocacy group Healthwatch England. One person reported in December 2025 that they waited 40 hours in a hospital corridor, during which a patient next to them died on a trolley.
Lynn Woolsey, Chief Nursing Officer at the Royal College of Nursing, stated the report proved corridor care was 'entirely normalised' all year round. She warned, 'It is difficult to overstate the catastrophic state of the health service if patients’ expectations are so low... The reality is that there is no safe level of corridor care.'
Chris McCann of Healthwatch England echoed these concerns, citing sleep deprivation, loss of dignity, and exposure to distressing situations as direct risks to patient wellbeing. 'No one should ever have to receive medical care in a hallway,' he said.
Calls for Action and Government Response
Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said there was nothing new about the 'dire situation', describing burnout among staff forced to work in unsuitable spaces. The HSSIB report called for better NHS understanding of why these spaces are used and improved data gathering.
In December 2025, Health Secretary Wes Streeting reaffirmed a commitment to eradicate corridor care by 2029. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the 'unacceptable and undignified' situation, pointing to winter preparations, an extra £450 million for urgent care, 500 new ambulances, and 40 new mental health crisis centres as part of the response.
However, HSSIB investigator Saskia Fursland noted that, contrary to chaotic perceptions, trusts were actively working to mitigate safety risks in these temporary environments. The debate continues as to whether adaptation signifies resilience or a dangerous acceptance of substandard care.
