Every hospital emergency department in Wales is grappling with patients being treated in corridors, as revealed by a recent survey conducted by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. This concerning trend has been labelled as “endemic” in Wales, with the college urging the Welsh Government to take immediate action. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has emphasised that ‘corridor care’ is not only dangerous but also dehumanising for patients. The survey conducted over three days in January and February highlighted that all 12 Welsh emergency departments had patients waiting in corridors or other inappropriate spaces. Additionally, on at least one of those days, all departments had patients being cared for in the back of ambulances.
Dr. Rob Perry, the Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Wales, expressed alarm at the situation, noting that the pressure on emergency departments in Wales is becoming a daily occurrence. The findings from the survey point towards a systemic issue rather than just seasonal pressures. Dr. Perry has urged the Welsh Government to address this urgent matter promptly.
The results of the survey shed light on the critical situation in Welsh emergency departments, with 13.5% of patients being treated on trolleys in corridors and another 10.7% deemed in need of clinical space while waiting. Alarmingly, 43.9% of all patients were awaiting an inpatient bed, showcasing the strain on hospital resources. The occupancy rate in emergency department cubicles was also concerning, with an average of 176% occupancy and one department reaching 278%, exemplifying the overcrowding issue.
In February, the monthly emergency department performance data for Wales reflected that 57,970 individuals sought treatment in major emergency departments, a slight decrease from the previous month. However, only 56.1% of patients were attended to within four hours of arrival, with over 8,900 patients facing delays of 12 hours or more. Additionally, in-patients experienced significant delays of more than 48 hours post-medical clearance before being discharged from the hospital, indicating systemic challenges that need to be urgently addressed.
Corridor care has been criticised by medical professionals, with a Welsh Coroner highlighting the normalisation of this practice in a recent report. The Welsh Government, while acknowledging the issues, clarified that routine care in non-clinical environments is not endorsed. However, exceptional pressures on the NHS are cited as reasons for such situations occurring, wherein the quality of care, privacy, and dignity of patients may be compromised.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s survey underlines the urgent need for action to alleviate the strain on Welsh emergency departments and improve the quality of care provided. With corridors serving as makeshift care spaces for patients, there is a pressing need for sustainable solutions to ensure patient safety and well-being. The Welsh Government’s commitment to addressing these challenges and providing additional funding to support healthcare services reflects a step towards tackling the systemic issues faced by emergency departments in Wales.