A Royal College of Physicians (RCP) snapshot member survey finds that almost half of physicians provided care in a temporary care environment between June and August.
Nearly three in five doctors reported they had delivered care in a temporary care environment between June and August 2025, including in corridors, gyms, offices, and even cupboards. And of those who reported providing care in a temporary environment over the summer months, 45% said they had done so daily or almost daily.
The findings from a Royal College of Physicians (RCP) snapshot member survey of 553 physicians across the UK confirm that corridor care is now a year-round issue.
“Delivering care in corridors and other temporary spaces has sadly become an everyday reality for many doctors, placing immense physical and emotional strain on staff. Patients deserve better. They should receive care in safe, private, and properly equipped environments,” said Hilary Williams, RCP clinical vice president.
“Lasting change requires urgent systemic action. Strengthening social care, improving patient flow, and expanding alternatives to hospital admission within the community, such as hospital-at-home programmes, are essential,” he added.
No patient privacy
Digging into the findings, nearly all (94%) of the respondents who reported providing care in temporary environments over the summer said that patient privacy and dignity had been compromised – 84% reported that patient confidentiality was compromised, and 81% said that clinical practice was physically difficult.
The impact on doctors delivering care in these spaces is also significant. Almost three-quarters (72%) of those who reported providing care in a temporary care environment over the summer said they felt forced to provide care in these environments, while 66% said they felt this was the new norm. Concerningly, 8% said the experience had made them consider leaving their roles altogether.
“As this survey shows, not only is corridor care unsafe and undignified for patients, it is also pushing doctors out of the door when we need them most. It is hard to feel professional pride in what you do when you’re reduced to treating patients in cupboards and waiting rooms,” said BMA consultants committee co-chair Helen Neary, commenting on the results.
Normalisation of the unacceptable
As Healthcare Today has repeatedly reported, this is an issue that is not getting any better.
Back in January, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) hit out at guidance from NHS England, which details how patients can be safely treated in corridors. Adrian Boyle, president of the independent professional association, called it the “normalisation of the unacceptable and dangerous”.
In mid-September last year, NHS England published a guidance paper on how to treat patients in what it euphemistically calls “temporary escalation spaces”.
The cost to NHS Trusts of negligence claims from corridor care is eye-watering.
In August, we reported that over the past five years, Trusts have paid out a total of £501.3 million following negligence in an A&E setting, with the highest amount being paid in 2021/22, at £118.5 million. A drastic rise in patient waiting times has also piled pressure on A&E services, with thousands of patients having to wait up to three days, often spending much of that time in hospital corridors.
Analysis by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) also shows that there were more than 16,600 deaths associated with long A&E waits before admission in England last year. That’s an increase of 20% (2,725) compared to 2023.
The figures are a concern. In September, the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) – which carries out independent patient safety investigations in England’s NHS and independent health care settings – said that it would investigate “temporary care environments”.
This is the first time official investigators will examine the impact of corridor care. HSSIB will provide a report directly to Westminster at the end of the year.
