‘Corridor care’ crisis as 44 patients a day are treated in ad-hoc spaces

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 16, 2026

In June, the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle treated an average of 44 patients daily in corridor care for over 45 minutes due to emergency department capacity pressures. This highlights ongoing challenges in managing high patient volumes, prompting investment in new facilities and services to reduce corridor care and improve emergency treatment environments.

In June, an average of 44 patients per day at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle were treated for more than 45 minutes in improvised or “corridor care” spaces within the hospital’s emergency department. These figures, released by NHS England, highlight ongoing capacity pressures faced by the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, which operates the RVI.

The 44 daily cases represent a slight increase from May, when an average of 43 patients per day received such care. Corridor care refers to the practice where patients receive medical attention in areas not intended for prolonged treatment, typically while waiting for a proper bed in the emergency department.

While the RVI accounts for the highest numbers in the North East of England, other regional trusts reported lower figures during the same period. The Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, which manages the specialist emergency care hospital in Cramlington, recorded 15 patients per day receiving corridor care. County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust reported 22 patients, whereas South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust and Gateshead’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital reported just two patients per day each.

Officials at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust acknowledged the concerns raised by the statistics and emphasized ongoing efforts to manage the volume of emergency cases and improve the patient experience. A spokesperson stated that the current situation is not the level of care the trust aims to provide, and that teams across their hospitals are working to ensure patient safety, wellbeing, privacy, and comfort amid these pressures.

Steps underway to mitigate the issue include the opening of a new Urgent Treatment Centre at the RVI in January and plans to complete a new triage and assessment area within the year. In 2027, the trust intends to refurbish its emergency department to increase the number of private cubicles available. Earlier funding commitments have supported the expansion of Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) services, designed to reduce pressure on emergency beds.

Nationally, the data coincides with what NHS England has described as its busiest-ever June, with emergency department attendances reaching 80,000 per day across the country for the first time. Corridor care is a focus of government efforts to improve emergency services, with the current Health Secretary, James Murray, labeling the practice “unacceptable.” His predecessor, Wes Streeting, had previously allocated £7 million toward expanding the trust’s emergency care capabilities.

At a Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust board meeting in May, it was reported that during the previous winter approximately 10% of A&E patients experienced time in corridor spaces. The trust continues to address these challenges as it seeks to enhance emergency care delivery amid growing patient numbers.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.