Flu-hit NHS hospitals recruiting 'corridor nurses' to look after people in busy hallways
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Flut-hit NHS hospitals are advertising for "corridor nurses" to look after patients stuck in busy hallways amid "unprecedented" demand for hospital beds. Whittington Hospital in North London posted the alarming advert last week pleading for temporary 12-hour "corridor care" nurses. It comes as the hospital said it is experiencing “very significant pressure” in its urgent and emergency care, The Sunday Times reported.
A spokesperson for Whittington Health NHS Trust said: "Our hospital has been experiencing very significant pressure in urgent and emergency care. In these circumstances we may have to provide care in corridors, as an absolute last resort. "In common with other hospitals, where this is necessary, we bring in additional staff on a temporary basis to ensure that care can be delivered as safely and compassionately as possible to patients.
"We have worked with partners across the health and care system to request mutual aid at times of worst pressures, to alleviate the impact and ensure patients get care as quickly and safely as possible this winter. "We are grateful to all of our hardworking staff for their commitment during this period of extraordinary pressure, and we apologise to any patient whose care has not met our usual high standards due to the exceptional level of demand.”.
The move has been criticised by Professor Nicola Ranger, head of the Royal College of Nursing, who called the plea "desperate" and an "affront to patient safety and dignity". She warned that recruiting "corridor" nurses was normalising poor and safe care. One nurse, who didn't want to be named, works at the hospital in north London and said patients couldn't call for help as there are no call bells in the corridor.
