Hospitals across the country are facing serious challenges with capacity and bed space, and too many patients have been treated in corridors for significant periods of time. To address these pressures, the Government has announced funding to buy new ambulances and build new urgent and emergency care day centres and mental health crisis centres. However, the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has admitted that he cannot promise patients will not be treated in corridors this year. I will be holding Ministers to account to prevent urgent care being delivered in non‑medical areas in Beverley and Holderness and across the country.
It is vital that NHS Trusts are transparent about corridor care where it occurs. As part of the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, NHS England committed to publishing data on the prevalence of corridor care, but the Government has not confirmed when this will happen.
The Government must act with greater urgency to tackle the biggest causes of hospital admissions and pressures on bed space, such as RSV and flu infections. Rising flu infections are concerning, and increasing vaccination rates for RSV and flu is critical to preventing hospital admissions during winter months.
During this Parliament, I am hopeful that all MPs can work together to build consensus on reform to funding for adult social care, so that the system meets the challenges of the 21st century. Whilst the Opposition stands ready to participate in cross‑party discussions on the future of adult social care, it is concerning that the Independent Commission on Social Care will not be proposing longer‑term reforms until 2028.