The National Pensioners Convention is calling for urgent government action over horrific revelations that patients – mainly older and vulnerable – are being treated and even dying in hospital corridors.
NPC, the UK’s largest campaign group run for and by older people, has heard first-hand concerns from members about the crisis in NHS hospitals. But we are shocked by the scale and grim nature of evidence provided by frontline staff in a new report from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).*
Shameful ‘corridor-care’ in hospitals will lead to more deaths if government does not act faster
NPC completely supports the RCN’s demand for action and greater transparency over the scale of the disaster to ‘focus minds’ on tackling the crisis. But we also believe the government’s decision to delay social care reform until 2028** is a serious mistake that is adding to the crisis. That’s why we are urging Health Secretary Wes Streeting to rapidly bring forward reform of the struggling Social Care sector to the end of this year, as it could play a key role in alleviating the issues facing the NHS.
Jan Shortt, General Secretary, NPC commented: “The findings of the RCN survey this winter are truly shocking and shame us all. Hospital staff are exhausted but still concerned to deliver the best service they can to those in need. But the conditions they face working in our hospitals are as intolerable as those for the patients desperate for treatment. And remember, we’re only part way through the winter – this will get worse and could lead to more deaths.”
Jan added: “This situation has gone on for years and crisis has, by default become the norm. Yet the resolution to dealing with the overload has been put off time and time again.
The NPC sends this message to Health Secretary Wes Streeting: you have the power to act. We politely request that you intervene now and set in motion a positive and sustainable strategy that enables the NHS and the care sector to work with and support each other to improve the delivery of services to older people and others in need.”
‘We’re only part way through the winter – this will get worse’
The evidence from RCN staff about being forced to treat seriously ill and vulnerable patients in corridors and even toilets because of a lack of hospital beds could be alleviated by greater support and investment in social care. Despite the hard work of care staff, the sector does not have the resources to provide the scale of home care the UK needs for our ageing population. If this was improved, it might help prevent some hospital admissions - it would also allow more older, vulnerable patients to be safely discharged home.
The government recognises the need for social care reform but has delayed an investigation by Baroness Louise Casey until 2028 – something the NPC and Sir Andrew Dilnot*** whose 2011 report previously recommended reforms, agree should be rapidly brough forward until the end of 2025.
Jan Shortt said: “It is not the NHS or care sector that are failing – their dedication and compassion is not in question. It is the policy decisions and delays of successive governments that impose impossible working conditions on hospital staff and carers alike - coupled with year on year cuts despite this government and the previous administration promising more funding.
“Whatever money has been put into the sector is nothing like the amount taken out of it over the last decade or so, and therefore both services struggle to meet demands. This kind of regime does nothing to improve morale, staffing levels or, importantly, the understanding of the public who see their NHS in dire straits.
“For every £1 invested in the NHS the Gross Added Value (GVA) is £4. Spiriting millions into private enterprise undermines the NHS, its staff, patients and families across the country. The NHS and social care are inextricably linked, and the NPC is appalled that the Health Secretary’s decision to delay reform will see no improvement in the care sector for another four years. This is a serious mistake that is clearly denying people dignity and respect, particularly at the end of life.”
*RCN report reveals harrowing statements from thousands of nursing staff: https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/uk-corridor-care-devastating-testimony-shows-patients-are-coming-to-harm-160125
**Social Care Reform Timescale: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-reforms-and-independent-commission-to-transform-social-care
And: BBC - Streeting defends timescale for social care reform
***Sir Andrew Dilnot: https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/01/09/dilnot-social-care-commission-should-deliver-recommendations-by-end-of-2025-not-2028/
ENDS
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