A surge in prolonged waits and unsafe conditions in NHS hospitals, particularly affecting older patients, signals a deepening crisis with calls for urgent systemic reform as winter approaches.
Elderly patients in NHS hospitals are increasingly being subjected to prolonged waits in crowded, unsuitable conditions, with many left in hospital corridors for hours or even days, a situation described by some as a "crisis hiding in plain sight." A report by the charity Age UK reveals harrowing accounts of older patients left on trolleys in corridors, unable to access basic needs such as food, pain relief, or toilets. One woman likened the chaotic scene to war films, describing “queues of stretchers and people suffering.” In some cases, patients have died while waiting for proper care, with relatives bearing witness to distressing final moments in these corridors. The charity warns the situation could worsen as winter approaches, with many older people now reluctant to seek emergency care due to these experiences.
Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, emphasised the urgent need for government action to address the deterioration of care standards in A&E departments, stating, “No one should have to spend their final days in a hospital corridor where it’s impossible for the staff to provide good, compassionate care.” According to the latest NHS data from England, only 75% of patients were seen within four hours in emergency departments in September, while the number of patients waiting more than 12 hours between a decision to admit and actual admission rose sharply to 44,765, highlighting the increasing pressure on the health service.
This growing crisis is mirrored by findings from multiple healthcare organisations, which underscore the dangerous impact of corridor care, especially on older and more vulnerable patients. A report from the Society for Acute Medicine highlights that fewer than 20% of acutely ill patients receive timely assessment in acute medical units, with over half waiting more than 12 hours in emergency departments. The most frail and elderly are disproportionately affected, lending weight to concerns about patient safety and outcomes.
The Royal College of Physicians and the Homecare Association have condemned corridor care as a symptom of broader systemic failures, including chronic underinvestment in community care services, which results in bottlenecks that force hospitals to treat patients in non-clinical spaces such as corridors and waiting rooms. Nearly 80% of NHS doctors report regularly treating patients in these unsafe environments, raising alarm bells about both patient dignity and medical safety.
Worryingly, the trend shows no sign of abating. Data analysed by the Liberal Democrats reveal that in 2024, approximately 49,000 A&E patients in England waited 24 hours or more for a hospital bed, with some enduring waits exceeding 10 days. The Royal College of Nursing reports a 26% increase in patients waiting over 12 hours in A&E compared to the previous year, even before the winter surge in demand. The RCN has warned that this ‘corridor care’ disaster threatens to worsen without immediate intervention.
Moreover, estimates from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine suggest that prolonged waits in A&E could be linked to over 250 potentially avoidable deaths each week in England alone. These figures lay bare the human cost of the crisis — with patients kept in emergency departments for extended periods due to bed shortages and slow admissions processes.
Responding to the crisis, Health Minister Karin Smyth has described corridor care as "unacceptable" and "undignified," with the government pledging £450 million to develop same-day urgent and emergency care centres, as well as investments in ambulances and mental health crisis facilities. However, while these measures represent steps forward, critics argue that systemic changes to the organisation of hospital and community care, as well as urgent staffing and capacity improvements, are essential to prevent further deterioration of patient care quality.
The convergence of these reports and data paints a stark picture: the NHS is grappling with a deeply entrenched corridor care crisis that disproportionately harms older patients, threatens patient safety, and undermines public confidence. Without bold, urgent action, the NHS faces a winter of increasing distress for patients and staff alike.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (Mirror), [2] (ITV)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (Mirror)
- Paragraph 3 – [2] (ITV), [3] (Homecare Association)
- Paragraph 4 – [4] (Sky News), [5] (Royal College of Nursing)
- Paragraph 5 – [6] (Royal College of Emergency Medicine)
- Paragraph 6 – [1] (Mirror), [5] (Royal College of Nursing), [7] (Royal College of Physicians)
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative highlights the ongoing crisis of 'corridor care' in NHS hospitals, with reports from February 2025 indicating that nearly 80% of NHS doctors have been forced to provide care in corridors and other unsuitable spaces. ([rcp.ac.uk](https://www.rcp.ac.uk/news-and-media/news-and-opinion/doctors-confirm-corridor-care-crisis-as-80-forced-to-treat-patients-in-unsafe-spaces/?utm_source=openai)) Additionally, a report from Age UK, published in September 2025, reveals that approximately 49,000 A&E patients in England waited 24 hours or more for a hospital bed in 2024, with some enduring waits exceeding 10 days. ([ageuk.org.uk](https://www.ageuk.org.uk/birmingham/about-us/news/articles/2025/the-state-of-health-and-care-of-older-people-in-england-2025/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative also references a report by the charity Age UK, which aligns with these findings. However, the specific publication date of the Age UK report mentioned in the narrative is not provided, making it challenging to determine if the content is recycled. The inclusion of updated data, such as the 2024 statistics, suggests an attempt to provide current information, but the lack of a clear publication date for the Age UK report warrants caution. The narrative does not appear to be based on a press release, as no such source is identified. The absence of a clear publication date for the Age UK report makes it difficult to assess the freshness of the content. The narrative does not appear to be based on a press release, as no such source is identified. The inclusion of updated data, such as the 2024 statistics, suggests an attempt to provide current information, but the lack of a clear publication date for the Age UK report warrants caution.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, and Health Minister Karin Smyth. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes reveals that they have been used in previous reports and articles, indicating that they are not exclusive to this narrative. The repetition of these quotes suggests that the content may be recycled. However, without access to the original sources, it is difficult to determine if the quotes have been used verbatim or paraphrased.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Mirror, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While the Mirror is a well-known publication, it is often considered less reliable due to sensationalist reporting. The reliance on a single source for the majority of the content raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented. The inclusion of references to other reputable organizations, such as Age UK and the Royal College of Physicians, adds credibility, but the overall reliance on the Mirror diminishes the overall reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative presents alarming accounts of elderly patients being left in hospital corridors for extended periods, with some reports indicating waits of 24 hours or more. These claims are supported by reports from reputable organizations, such as the Royal College of Physicians, which has highlighted the normalization of 'corridor care' in NHS hospitals. ([rcp.ac.uk](https://www.rcp.ac.uk/news-and-media/news-and-opinion/doctors-confirm-corridor-care-crisis-as-80-forced-to-treat-patients-in-unsafe-spaces/?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of specific figures and references to reputable organizations adds plausibility to the claims. However, the lack of direct access to the original reports and the reliance on a single source for the majority of the content necessitate a cautious approach.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents concerning accounts of 'corridor care' in NHS hospitals, supported by reports from reputable organizations. However, the reliance on a single source, the Mirror, and the lack of direct access to original reports raise questions about the freshness and reliability of the content. The repetition of quotes and the absence of clear publication dates for referenced reports further diminish the credibility of the narrative. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a 'FAIL' with medium confidence.
