As a medical negligence solicitor, I hear from numerous people who have been harmed while receiving medical care. A common theme in many of their stories is the growing crisis in our National Health Service (NHS), particularly in emergency departments.

The latest figures highlighted by the Guardian show that what was once a "winter crisis" has become a year-round issue, with serious implications for patient safety.

The term "corridor care" (providing care to patients in non-designated medical areas such as corridors, waiting rooms etc) is now a harsh reality and, in my view, poses a significant threat to patient care and the overall wellbeing of both staff and patients.

A recent analysis of NHS data by the Liberal Democrats revealed that nearly 3 million patients went to A&E in June and July 2025. This marks a 15% increase since 2015 and the highest level on record for that period. This overwhelming demand continues to place a significant strain on already stretched resources.

The Alarming Rise of 12-Hour A&E Waits

A decade ago, a 12-hour trolley wait was a rarity, with just 47 such occurrences recorded in June and July of 2015. However, in June 2025, over 38,000 patients had to wait 12 hours or more to be admitted to a hospital. In total, more than 74,000 patients waited at least 12 hours during June and July of this year, which is more than 1,200 people a day. Some NHS trusts have even worse statistics, with more than a quarter of their patients waiting at least 12 hours for a bed.

From a legal perspective, these figures are deeply concerning. Medical professionals and patient advocates alike have warned that leaving very poorly, often vulnerable, people stranded on trolleys in corridors for long and dangerous periods of time is both undignified and unsafe.

While the Department of Health and Social Care claims that A&E waits are improving despite increased demand, many experts disagree. The Royal College of Nursing, for instance, views the explosion of 12-hour waits as clear proof that "corridor care" is a year-round crisis.

Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional's care falls below a reasonable standard, and this failure directly leads to a patient being harmed. The increasing number of prolonged waits in A&E corridors raises serious questions about whether hospitals are meeting their duty of care. With some medical conditions, time is of the essence and where the system simply cannot cope, and these timescales aren’t met, the risk of avoidable harm occurring is bound to increase.

While the NHS is under immense pressure and its nurses, doctors and clinicians work tirelessly to provide optimum care, that doesn't excuse what seems to be a systemic failure in adequate resourcing to ensure that medical staff can do their job properly.

I welcome the recent announcement that the investigation into ‘corridor care’ in England will be carried out following a campaign by the Royal College of Nursing. The first of its kind report is expected in December 2025 and hopefully the findings will initiate any change or reform required.