Outgoing Derby hospital leader calls for the eradication of treatment of patients on corridors

Royal Derby Hospital. Photo by Eddie Bisknell.

The outgoing leader of Derby’s hospitals has called on staff to do “everything in their power” to stop corridors being used to treat patients as they lack space for privacy.

Prem Singh, the outgoing chairman of the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, made the call after figures showed an average of 19 patients a day were being treated in corridors, peaking at 30 patients on Wednesday, September 23rd.

Meanwhile, patients were treated on corridors in the two emergency departments (at Royal Derby and Queen’s in Burton) an average of 37 times per day in September, with some patients accounting for multiple instances – peaking at 57 on Saturday, September 26th.

Mr Singh called for staff to “adopt a zero tolerance approach to corridor care and do everything in our power to ultimately eradicate it”. 

He continued: “Corridor care remains an important part of this picture. While at UHDB this more commonly means additional beds in clinical bays, this is not the standard of care we want for our patients and we remain committed to significantly reducing it, in the short term.”

Mr Singh said: “We know that our performance across a number of areas is not yet where we want it to be, and there is more for us to do to improve our position and, most importantly, the experience of people who rely on our services. 

“Urgent and emergency care is one area where continued focus is particularly important. We know patients are still waiting too long in our emergency departments, and there are opportunities to improve their experience by concentrating on some of the areas that can make the greatest difference.

“Discharge is another important priority. Supporting patients to leave hospital as soon as they are medically ready is first and foremost about providing the right care and experience for them, but it also helps create capacity for those waiting to be admitted. 

“Some of the solutions sit within UHDB and we must maximise all the opportunities for quicker gains and improvements in this area, whilst others require us to work differently with our partners. It is a good example of how focusing collectively on a few important priorities can deliver wider benefits for patients and across the organisation.”

The trust also reports continued challenges with “sustaining the right number of nurses in the emergency departments”, redeploying staff “whenever possible”.

Meanwhile, Stephen Posey, the trust’s chief executive, also wrote this week: “Corridor care remains an important focus as we prepare for winter. 

“At times of significant operational pressure, when demand exceeds available capacity, patients may receive care in spaces that are not designed for that purpose. 

“While these spaces are safe, we recognise the impact this can have on privacy, dignity and patient experience and remain committed to reducing their use wherever possible.”

Mr Posey wrote: “Designated spaces have been assessed against national guidance and we have clear and transparent oversight alongside appropriate plans to reduce the use of these spaces.

“Reducing corridor care is integral to our winter preparations and requires action across the whole patient pathway. 

“Our data and patient feedback tell us that discharge is not always timely enough. We are tackling delays within our control and working with partners to make better use of community capacity, helping patients leave hospital safely when ready and reducing pressure on our emergency departments.”