Patients in chairs ‘day and night’ and physio gym turned into ward, say doctors Doctors have told how patients are being managed in chairs “day and night” and physiotherapy gyms are being turned into wards as hospitals fill up.
RCP clinical vice president Dr John Dean said: “Physicians tell us that they are being asked to provide more and more care in corridors and in other temporary environments, such as treating additional patients on wards, over and above agreed numbers.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said treating patients in corridors cannot be allowed to continue as it published accounts from doctors on the front line talking about the crisis in NHS hospitals.
Dr Dean said the Government’s drive to get the overall waiting list for planned treatment down must contain realistic expectations “to ensure doctors do not face further burnout” in trying to restore the 18-week target.
Dr Jacob de Wolff, RCP regional manager for north west London, said: “It is not uncommon to arrive at 8am in the emergency department to be greeted by a corridor full of trolleys.
