Nearly 60% of doctors provided patient care in unconventional settings like hospital corridors, offices, and even cupboards during the summer months, a recent survey reveals. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) highlighted that this practice, known as corridor care, is no longer limited to winter months.
The survey conducted by RCP found that 59% of doctors resorted to delivering care in temporary environments from June to August, including corridors, gyms, offices, and cupboards. Shockingly, 45% of them did so daily or almost daily. The majority (94%) felt that patient privacy and dignity were compromised, and 81% faced physical challenges in providing clinical care.
Of those involved in corridor care, 72% felt pressured to work in such conditions, and 66% considered it the new normal. Alarmingly, 8% contemplated leaving their professions due to this issue. The situation was described as dire by one doctor who treated patients, including one with a brain abscess, in front of a vending machine.
The RCP is urging the NHS to take immediate action to address this crisis by enhancing patient flow, discharge processes, and committing to long-term investments in social care. Dr. Hilary Williams, RCP clinical vice president, emphasized the need for systemic changes to ensure patients receive care in safe and well-equipped environments.
The dire impact of corridor care on healthcare staff was reiterated by Rory Deighton, NHS Confederation’s acute and community care director. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the severity of the situation and pledged substantial investments to improve emergency capacity and healthcare infrastructure to mitigate the challenges faced by medical professionals.
The urgency to address the ongoing crisis in healthcare settings, particularly regarding corridor care, has become a critical priority to prevent overwhelming hospitals, especially as the winter season approaches.