Doctors are providing care to patients next to vending machines, in offices, and even in cupboards because of a chronic lack of capacity in NHS hospitals, a survey has found.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP)—which gathered the feedback in a snapshot survey of its members1—said urgent action is needed to end the “unacceptable” practice of patients being treated in corridors and other inappropriate temporary spaces.
While so called “corridor care” has commonly been reported in winter, when demand on the NHS typically soars, the college said their data confirm it is now a “year round” problem.
Nearly 3 in 5 doctors who responded to the survey (328 of 553, 59%) reported delivering care in a temporary environment between June and August 2025. Of these, 45% said they had done so daily or almost daily.
The RCP highlighted “harrowing experiences” shared by doctors, with one saying, “Providing care in front of a vending …
