Family condemn 'disgusting' hospital corridor care

The family of a woman who was moved from her hospital ward into a corridor have said she was treated worse than an animal.

Sheila, 88, who has a damaged pancreas, was admitted to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill on Saturday night and was moved into the main corridor of the hospital with other patients two days later.

In a text message sent to her family in the early hours of Monday, she described her care as "disgusting".

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH), which runs the hospital, said: "Holding any patients in the main corridor is always a last resort and we are very sorry to patients who have been cared for in this way."

Sheila's daughter, Karen, said staff moved her into the corridor with 19 other patients, and there was "no explanation, no safety in place, and no care".

She added: "How can this be right or acceptable for a health service that protects the most vulnerable."

Karen said her mother was vomiting constantly due to her damaged pancreas, which doctors cannot operate on due her age.

"We wouldn't treat animals like this," she added.

"At least they would have facilities to eat, drink, be warm and (have) dignity. My mum had none of this."

Rebecca Paul, MP for Reigate, said this account was "distressing" and urgent action was needed to ensure people received "safe and dignified" care.

"Treating patients in corridors, without privacy or dignity, is unacceptable and must not become normalised," she added.

The MP said she hadraised "corridor care" directly with the Health Secretary as it was "not a one-off incident" but reflected "systemic pressures" on the NHS.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said they were sorry to hear about Sheila's experience.

They added: "No one should receive care in a corridor - the situation we inherited is unacceptable and undignified, and we are determined to end it.

"Staff, including nurses, are under immense pressure, and we recognise the dedication and professionalism of those keeping patients safe and delivering the best care they can."

The spokseperson said the government had taken "immediate steps" to address these issues, "including investing £450m to expand urgent and emergency care services, expanding vaccination programmes, preparing for winter earlier, building 40 new same day emergency care centres and 15 mental health crisis centres".

A spokesperson for SASH said patients were being cared for in corridors due to high levels of demand, challenges discharging patients who no longer require acute care, and an increase in Norovirus .

"Our Emergency Department is under significant pressure," they said.

The spokesperson said the trust was "monitoring these patients closely".

The NHS said: "NHS England's position is that corridor care is unacceptable and must not be normalised.

"We are committed to the total eradication of corridor care, recognising it as a clinical and moral imperative."

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