UK Hospitals Overwhelmed as Reports Reveal Patients Dying in Corridors
A new report has highlighted a critical crisis within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), revealing that patients are being treated in corridors, converted cupboards, and even bereavement rooms due to severe overcrowding. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) conducted a survey of over 5,000 nursing staff, with 90% stating that patient safety is compromised in this chaotic environment, where care is often delivered in unsuitable spaces.
The report details shocking accounts of overcrowding, with some nurses managing up to 40 patients waiting in hallways. Disturbingly, it also mentions incidents of patients dying while waiting for treatment in these conditions. Last month, more than 54,000 patients in emergency departments faced waits of over 12 hours for a hospital bed, a 23% increase compared to the previous month.
NHS figures have indicated that the service has reached its busiest point this winter, with 96% of hospital beds occupied. Despite recent improvements in flu cases, other winter viruses continue to strain the healthcare system. Nursing staff have reported being unable to access vital life-saving equipment while handling emergencies in overcrowded conditions, underscoring the urgent need for improvement.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the risks associated with such "unsafe" and "undignified" corridor care, stating it will take time to rectify the damage done to the NHS. The RCN previously declared a “national emergency” regarding hospital overcrowding in June 2024, as there are currently 7.5 million individuals on NHS waiting lists, with over three million enduring waits of longer than 18 weeks.
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