Wales faces pervasive corridor care in emergency departments

A new survey has revealed a serious issue with "corridor care" in emergency departments across Wales. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine claims that every hospital is treating patients in hallways and waiting areas, which they describe as "dangerous, degrading, dehumanising." The survey focused on 12 emergency departments over three days in January and February. It found that all had patients being treated in corridors, with some also waiting in ambulances. Dr. Rob Perry, vice president of the Royal College, stressed that this problem has become a daily occurrence, not just during busy times. The survey results indicate that approximately 13.5% of the 619 patients present in emergency departments were being treated on trolleys. Additionally, 43.9% were waiting for inpatient beds. The occupancy rates in cubicles were alarming, with one department reportedly at 278% capacity. In February, 57,970 people visited major emergency departments in Wales. Just over half of these patients were attended to within the target time of four hours. Many faced long waits, with nearly 9,000 experiencing delays of 12 hours or more. A Welsh spokesperson for the government stated that while they do not support routine corridor care, the NHS sometimes faces exceptional pressures. The government has allocated over £200 million this year to help alleviate these issues and improve patient care.