Public Safety Risks Associated with "Corridor Care" in Local Hospitals

Overview

SARS Cymru is issuing this update to inform the community of significant safety and dignity risks currently present within NHS hospital environments. Recent data and frontline reports indicate a sustained increase in "corridor care"—the delivery of medical treatment in non-clinical, makeshift areas such as hallways, waiting rooms, and storage spaces.

Key Safety Findings

Recent polling and professional feedback have identified the following risks to residents and patients:

• Compromised Patient Safety: Clinical environments are designed for sterile and monitored care. Corridors lack the necessary medical infrastructure, increasing the risk of accidents and delayed emergency response.

• Mental Health Hazards: For patients in mental health crisis, corridors present specific dangers. These areas often contain unsecured objects and fittings that increase the risk of self-harm.

• Erosion of Dignity: More than 28% of the public in Wales (and 18% UK-wide) have witnessed care being delivered in public-facing corridors, resulting in a loss of patient privacy during vulnerable moments.

• Systemic Strain: Reports indicate that Emergency Departments are struggling to function under these conditions, with nursing staff warning that the current environment is causing direct harm to patient outcomes.

Guidance for the Public

If you or a family member are required to seek hospital treatment, please be aware of the following:

1. Know Your Rights: Every patient has the right to safe, dignified care. If you are being treated in a non-clinical space (like a corridor), you are entitled to ask how your privacy and safety are being managed.

2. Report Concerns: If you witness or experience unsafe conditions, please notify the Ward Manager or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) immediately.

3. Support Frontline Staff: Our nursing workforce is operating under extreme pressure to maintain standards in these inappropriate settings. Your patience and cooperation help them manage these high-risk environments.

Our Position

Corridor care is not an acceptable "new normal" for community safety. It is a symptom of systemic crisis. We join the Royal College of Nursing in calling for the Welsh Government and NHS leadership to implement a fully funded plan to eliminate the use of non-clinical spaces for patient care.

Urgent investment in inpatient beds, community social care, and nursing workforce levels is required to ensure our community remains safe when accessing healthcare.