Footage reveals ‘war zone’ corridor care at NHS hospital

Footage shared with ITV News has revealed “war zone” corridor care at an NHS hospital.

The videos filmed this week at Queen’s Hospital in East London appear to show elderly and vulnerable patients left for days in cramped passageways instead of wards.

The footage captures lines of trollies stretching along busy corridors.

ITV News understands that at one point this week, around 40 patients were left waiting in the areas with limited access to essential medical equipment.

Some were forced to undergo examinations in full view of passers-by, raising concerns about dignity, privacy, and safety.

The footage was filmed at Queen’s Hospital in East London. / Credit: ITV News

A man in his late 70s diagnosed with flu waited in a corridor for almost three days because there was no bed available on a ward.

ITV News understands that at least four corridors in the hospital were being used as makeshift wards this week.

One elderly patient reportedly fell asleep in an A&E office after being left there by a member of staff.

In the videos, nurses can be seen navigating the congested corridors, attempting to provide care in a space never intended for medical treatment.

Catherine William, 77, spent 40 hours on a trolley in a corridor at the hospital last week, having been brought in by ambulance after a fall.

Patient Catherine William described the situation in the hospital as a “warzone”

Staff had to perform an ECG test in a toilet because there was no clinical space available.

“It was like a warzone,” Catherine told ITV News.

“There was no dignity. I was crying all the time. It was traumatising.”

Queen’s Hospital in Romford is currently rated “requires improvement” by regulators, but corridor care is far from unique to this hospital.

If you or a family member has been affected by this story, you can email us at investigations@itv.com

The Royal College of Nursing has described the situation as a “national emergency,” warning that a failure to increase staffing levels and the number of beds in hospitals is putting patient safety at risk.

Patricia Marquis, Executive Director of RCN England, described our footage as “heartbreaking.”

“The lack of dignity, if nothing else, is awful,” Patricia Marquis told ITV News.

“Sadly, it’s not unusual – the number of patients waiting more than 12 hours to find a bed has gone up and exponentially over the last few years. It’s dangerous for patients and it’s really distressing for staff.

Reacting to ITV News’ footage, Patricia Marquis said the “lack of dignity” was “awful”

The RCN accuses the government of a lack of urgency in tackling the crisis.

“It increases the risk of harm for patients – and ultimately of death,” said Patricia Marquis.

“It absolutely has to be a priority for the government to address this, this winter, now – before it gets even worse.”

The latest NHS England figures show that in October 54,314 people waited more than 12 hours in A&E departments for a hospital bed.

In June, the government pledged to begin publishing official data on corridor care incidents in England, but nearly six months on, no data has been released.

The health service is facing mounting pressures as flu cases rise, and winter always brings extra demand for services.

Meanwhile, resident doctors in England are planning to strike in the run-up to Christmas, adding further strain to already overstretched hospitals.

In response to our report, Queen’s Hospital in Romford has apologised to affected patients.

Matthew Trainer, Chief Executive Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, told ITV News: “I’m sorry patients are receiving care in our A&E corridors. It’s not right and it isn’t fair to our patients or to our staff.

“It’s happening because we’re seeing record numbers of people coming to A&E and we’ve decided it’s safer to bring people into the hospital rather than keep them outside on ambulances.

“Our clinical staff prioritise those who are sickest, which means some people who are not acutely ill face a very long wait.

“Our A&E at Queen’s Hospital was designed for 325 patients a day. We’re now seeing more than double that number in a badly laid out and overcrowded department.

“With the support of all of our local MPs, we’re campaigning for the funds to rebuild the A&E, improve the experience of our patients and eradicate corridor care.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “No one should receive care in a corridor in a chair or trolley – it is unacceptable and undignified.

“We are determined to end this, which is why we’re publishing corridor waiting figures so we can take the steps needed to eradicate it from our health service. Sunlight is the best disinfectant to stop this practice.

“This winter, we are investing almost £450 million to expand same-day and urgent care services, upgrading up to 500 ambulances, delivering new mental health crisis centres, and giving NHS leaders more power to deliver local solutions.”

“On top of this, we are ramping up activity of vital vaccinations, to ensure you and your loved ones stay protected from flu and other diseases. Together, we can ensure the NHS is there when you need it.”