Health secretary vows to end ‘corridor care’ for children in hospitals

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for urgent action to stop children being treated in hospital corridors, saying child health should become a greater NHS priority. She has asked NHS England to draw up new standards for children in A&E and a plan to eliminate corridor care for them as a priority.

England recorded an average of 3,310 patients receiving corridor care each day in September, up from 2,865 in August. More than 12 hours passed between the decision to admit and admission for 50,582 people in September, compared with 44,951 the previous month. Cooper also announced £140 million for 14 urgent-care schemes ahead of a winter she expects to be especially challenging.