Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 May 2026
Correspondence to chair from Karin Smyth MP - Corridor care
From: Health and Social Care Committee
Inquiry: Corridor Care
Summary
Karin Smyth MP, Minister of State for Health (Secondary Care), responds to the Health and Social Care Committee's March evidence session on corridor care. The Government welcomes the Committee's recognition of departmental leadership and commits to publishing national corridor care data from May 2026, establishing a baseline without interim targets. The response covers accountability frameworks, staff fatigue management, patient flow improvements, and clinical negligence risks, emphasizing a whole-hospital approach requiring Trust Board ownership and sustained national leadership.
Key findings
- NHS England will begin publishing national corridor care data from May 2026, providing consistent visibility for the first time following introduction of a national definition.
- Trust Boards are held accountable for identifying and eliminating corridor care within their organisations, supported by GIRFT and regional improvement teams; scrutiny occurs through regional and national oversight arrangements.
- Staff fatigue is being addressed through NHS Staff Standards for modern employment (April 2026), expanded occupational health support, and the upcoming NHS Workforce Plan.
- Patient flow improvements rely on the Better Care Fund supporting admissions reduction and discharge improvement, with expanded discharge-to-assess approaches and consultation on reforms from 2027–28.
- Emergency medicine clinical negligence claims have increased but cannot be attributed to corridor care alone; however, corridor care exacerbates delays, missed deterioration, and communication failures that drive claims.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Karin Smyth MP, Health and Social Care Committee, NHS England, GIRFT, Trust Boards, NHS Resolution, Regional improvement teams
Notable line
“Corridor care is unacceptable for patients and staff alike, and we are committed to addressing both its immediate impacts and underlying causes.”
Key Quotes
“Corridor care is unacceptable for patients and staff alike, and we are committed to addressing both its immediate impacts and underlying causes.”
“This will, for the first time, provide consistent national visibility of the issue.”
“Trust Boards are accountable for identifying, understanding and eliminating corridor care within their organisations.”
“Staff wellbeing is fundamental to safe care. We are taking action through the introduction of NHS Staff Standards for modern employment from April 2026 …”
“Reducing corridor care, alongside making wider improvements in patient flow and safety, therefore has the potential to reduce avoidable harm and associated costs – as well as improving patient and staff experience.”
“This is a complex issue that requires sustained national leadership, strong local accountability and close partnership across health and social care.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗