Patient chokes to death alone as corridor care crisis deepens

Health & Fitness
15 Jan 2026 • 9:11 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • New findings from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) reveal NHS patients are enduring a "broken system" of corridor care, with shocking accounts of undignified treatment.
  • A survey of 436 nurses highlighted instances such as a patient left in a chair for four days and another who tragically died after choking undetected in a corridor.
  • Nurses reported treating patients in unsuitable locations like corridors, dining rooms, and offices, leading to severe overcrowding and compromised care.
  • The RCN warned that these "collapsing care standards" are pushing NHS staff morale "almost past the point of no return", causing significant anxiety and distress among healthcare workers.
  • The RCN has urged the government to invest in more beds, nurses, and community services.

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