Corridor Care Strains East London Hospitals This Winter

Hospitals in east London are facing what senior leaders describe as their most challenging winter yet, with record demand pushing patient care into corridors for a third consecutive year. At Queen’s Hospital in Romford, dozens of patients have been treated on trolleys in hallways as emergency departments struggle to cope with daily arrivals approaching 1,000 people. Hospital leaders say December was the busiest on record, reflecting sustained pressure across the local health system. During visits to the site, patients were seen lined along corridors adapted with temporary power points, sinks, and alarms to manage overflow. The situation has become a visible symbol of strain within the NHS in London, where staff continue to work under intense conditions to maintain dignity and safety for patients while acknowledging that corridor care remains unacceptable as a long term solution.

The chief executive of the trust overseeing Queen’s Hospital and King George Hospital in Ilford said the practice causes profound distress, both professionally and personally. He stressed that while staff do everything possible to care for patients respectfully, no one should be left overnight on a trolley in a hallway. Nursing leaders echoed that sentiment, describing the winter as exceptionally hard for patients, relatives, and frontline workers. Families of those waiting in corridors have spoken of crowded conditions, limited space to sit or stand near loved ones, and a sense of organised chaos. Despite these challenges, hospital managers say staff dedication remains strong, with many patients and families recognising the efforts being made under difficult circumstances, even as frustration grows over repeated winters marked by similar scenes.

Pressure is not confined to emergency departments alone. Queen’s Hospital also operates one of the country’s busiest maternity units, delivering around 7,000 babies a year, while its sister site in Ilford has focused on easing strain through planned care. King George Hospital hosts a dedicated elective surgical hub designed to protect routine operations from emergency disruptions. More than 10,000 planned procedures were carried out there last year, helping reduce waiting lists and improve patient flow. Trust leaders say technology, including robotic assisted surgery, is improving outcomes in some areas, offering signs of progress amid broader challenges. However, they argue that new facilities alone will not resolve the crisis, warning that unless demand on hospitals is reduced through wider health and social care reforms, corridor care risks remaining a recurring feature of winter in east London.