Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of corridor care and delayed transfers from emergency departments on patient safety, including the reported 16,000 deaths annually; and what steps his Department is taking to end the use of temporary care environments such as corridors and waiting areas in NHS hospitals.

The Government and NHS England are clear that corridor care is not acceptable and should never become standard practice. The figure of 16,000 deaths annually is a reported estimate rather than an official Government statistic. However, the Department recognises the serious risks associated with prolonged waits in emergency care, including delays to assessment, treatment, and admission. That is why reducing overcrowding, improving patient flow, and tackling discharge delays are central priorities for the National Health Service.

NHS England has introduced a clear national definition of corridor care and began daily reporting in March 2026, and this gives real-time visibility of pressures and is enabling targeted support from specialist teams for the most affected hospitals. As of June 2026, we are publishing data on incidence of corridor care, on a monthly basis. In addition, updated guidance published in December 2025 sets out how trusts should maintain safety, dignity, and privacy where temporary care environments are unavoidable, including senior clinical oversight and named nursing responsibility. We are also investing £215.5 million in 40 new and expanded urgent care sites across England, to reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments.