References
The complex reality of corridor care in emergency departments
Abstract
Corridor care in emergency departments (EDs) remains a contentious issue, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) calling for its elimination. While acknowledging its challenges, we argue that corridor care, when managed appropriately, plays a vital role in patient flow and safety. Removing it without viable alternatives risks worsening ambulance delays and increasing ED pressures. Rather than outright abolition, policymakers must focus on improving best practices to ensure patient dignity while addressing systemic issues such as workforce shortages and overcrowding. Sustainable long-term investment is essential, but interim solutions must also support both patient care and staff wellbeing.
Corridor care in emergency departments (EDs) remains a contentious issue, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) calling for its elimination. While acknowledging its challenges, we argue that corridor care, when managed appropriately, plays a vital role in patient flow and safety. Removing it without viable alternatives risks worsening ambulance delays and increasing ED pressures. Rather than outright abolition, policymakers must focus on improving best practices to ensure patient dignity while addressing systemic issues such as workforce shortages and overcrowding. Sustainable long-term investment is essential, but interim solutions must also support both patient care and staff wellbeing.
On 10 January 2025, the RCN joined a coalition of trade unions, professional bodies, charities, and patient groups in writing to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, calling for an end to corridor care (RCN, 2025). This follows the challenges highlighted in the RCN's report, Corridor Care: Unsafe, Undignified, Unacceptable (RCN, 2024). We, the authors, fully agree that the practice of corridor care is far from ideal and must be addressed. However, the RCN's call for its eradication overlooks the complex reality of ED operations and, paradoxically, may introduce even greater risks.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting British Journal of Nursing and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for nurses. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Limited access to clinical or professional articles
-
Unlimited access to the latest news, blogs and video content