Jackson Yeow
17 Jan 2025 · Coroner David Regan · South Wales Central
The coroner's concerns
1. patients receiving care in corridors
“Care for patients in the emergency department is frequently provided in the corridor and other non clinical spaces, which: a. Impedes efficient clinical assessment, causing clinicians to take longer performing tasks and rendering clinical care more difficult”
2. normalized corridor care
“Care in corridors and other non clinical spaces has been normalized, which in the opinion of the consultant who gave evidence is unsafe”
3. reduced ED capacity
“When conducted routinely, care in corridors and other non clinical spaces reduces the capacity of the Emergency Department so that should acuity escalate, it is likely to cause delays to the release of ambulances”
4. delayed discharge of medically fit patients
“The underling obstacle to improving flow through the hospital and relieving pressure on the Emergency Department is the significant number of patients who are medically fit to be discharged but whose discharge is delayed due to non medical reasons”
Responses
2025-0032-Response-from-Cwm-Taf-Morgannwg-University-Health-Board.pdf ↗· Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Stated action
“CTMUHEB recognises that corridor care presents significant challenges to efficient clinical assessment and patient safety. We are actively working to reduce reliance on non-clinical spaces through investment in additional nursing staff, transformation programmes and improvements in patient flow, and the implementation of enhanced escalation processes.”