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 called for corridor care to be eradicated in our general election manifesto and we'll hold the UK government to account to make sure that happens.
You can help too. If you see it happening at your workplace, call it out. No ifs, no buts.
Nothing about corridor ‘care’ 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:
- Our workforce standards set out what must happen to ensure safe and effective care
- Our levels of nursing show who should be making decisions about emergency care
- Our Raising Concerns Toolkit covers all the essentials to help you sound the alarm
privacy and dignity
Corridor care analysis: unsafe, undignified, unacceptable
Our new report based on member experiences shows the true scale and depth of the corridor care crisis – from its shocking impact on patients to its effect on workplaces.
We highlight a system in crisis and set out avenues for change.
Watch: "We all have a responsibility to call it out"
And she asks all nursing staff to call out unsafe, undignified and unacceptable practices every time they happen.
Together, we can eradicate corridor care.
Latest news on corridor care
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5 Jul 2024
RCN calls on new government to work in partnership to tackle national health emergency
Our letter to Sir Keir Starmer says nursing staff have the solutions to overcome the significant challenges facing health and social care. Investment in staff must be his priority as PM.
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27 Jun 2024
RCN call for urgent action on corridor care recognised at top level
NHS England has sent a letter to all health and care providers saying corridor care should never be considered the ‘norm’.
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3 Jun 2024
Corridor care: RCN declares ‘national emergency’ and demands political action
Nursing staff are regularly forced to provide care to patients in chairs and corridors, compromising patient safety and dignity. We’re asking members to call it out and join our fight to eradicate the practice.
Stay up to date
Get the latest updates on our work to end corridor care and achieve safe staffing in every workplace – straight to your inbox.
Share your story
We want to hear from you so that we can always represent you fairly. Use our simple SenseMaker tool to share your experiences.
