North London Hospital Seeks Nurses for ‘Corridor Care’ Amid A&E Strain
Whittington Hospital is urgently hiring nurses for corridor care shifts due to overwhelming pressure on its A&E services
North London, NHS, A&E, Whittington Hospital, Emergency Care
North London: Whittington Hospital is in a bit of a pickle right now. They’re looking for nurses to fill 12-hour shifts for something they’re calling “corridor care.” It’s all because their A&E department is under serious pressure.
According to reports, the hospital has been advertising these shifts, and it’s not just them. Many NHS trusts are facing similar issues, with patients being treated in corridors. Can you believe someone had to wait 50 hours just to get a bed?
Some hospitals are even limiting visitors and asking folks to wear masks to help keep the germs at bay. Whittington Health NHS Trust has admitted they’re feeling the heat in their urgent care services.
A spokesperson mentioned that if it comes down to it, they might have to provide care in corridors, but only as a last resort. They’re also bringing in extra staff temporarily to make sure patients get the care they need.
Last week, over a third of ambulance patients at Whittington had to wait more than 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E teams. That’s a long time when you’re in need of urgent care!
Ian Higginson, a consultant in emergency medicine, shared a screenshot of the “corridor RN” shifts on social media, pointing out that this kind of care has become all too normal. He’s worried that the pressure on hospitals isn’t going away anytime soon.
Dr. Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, didn’t hold back either. He called corridor care “degrading and dangerous,” stressing that it’s impossible to provide safe care in such cramped conditions.
He also mentioned that overcrowding in emergency departments can lead to longer stays, which can be deadly. This weekend, they joined forces with other medical organizations to urge the Health Secretary to publish data on how often patients are treated in these unsuitable areas.
In recent days, hospitals across the UK, including those in Northamptonshire and Liverpool, have declared critical incidents due to overwhelming demand. Whittington Hospital is just one of many feeling the strain.
They’ve been working with other health partners to manage the situation and ensure patients get the care they need as quickly as possible. The spokesperson apologized for any lapses in care and thanked the staff for their hard work during this tough time.
An NHS England spokesperson acknowledged the unprecedented demand for services but emphasized that treating patients in temporary spaces should never be the norm. They’re doing their best to provide safe care, even as they face record levels of demand this winter.