Patients are dying in the corridors of Britain’s hospitals, with pregnant women receiving miscarriage treatments in semi-public areas and incontinent patients being cleaned next to vending machines. These alarming conditions were highlighted in a report released by the Royal College of Nursing, which describes an overcrowding crisis leading to a collapse in care, confidentiality, and dignity within the National Health Service (NHS).
Nicola Ranger, the general secretary and chief executive of the union, stated that vulnerable individuals are being stripped of their dignity, and nursing staff are being denied access to essential lifesaving equipment. She emphasized that the nation’s healthcare staff have reached a “breaking point.”
The 460-page report includes anonymized testimonies from over 5,400 nurses surveyed between December 18, 2024, and January 11. The union provided anonymity to its members to allow them to speak freely without fear of repercussions from employers, while also protecting patient confidentiality.
Healthcare professionals have faced significant challenges in caring for nearly 70 million people in the UK, exacerbated by years of chronic underinvestment in the NHS during Conservative-led governments from 2010 to 2024. Dr. Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, called for this moment to be a “watershed,” noting the harrowing nature of the testimonies and the emotional toll on staff, many of whom are frustrated and considering leaving their careers.
This report follows another significant finding that the NHS is in “critical” condition, revealing that patients often wait hours for treatment while doctors operate without adequate medical equipment or space. National satisfaction with the NHS has reportedly reached its lowest level ever.
The breakdown in care has broader implications, as many Britons view a functioning NHS—established after World War II and providing tax-funded healthcare as a core government obligation—as essential. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified discussions about the NHS's failures, contributing to the Labour Party's electoral success, with many attributing the service's issues to austerity measures from previous Conservative administrations.
While Labour has pledged reforms, the nurses’ union is advocating for more decisive government action. Professor Ranger urged for “bold government action” on an NHS that has been neglected for too long and cautioned ministers against evading responsibility.
Over 90 percent of survey respondents indicated that patient care was compromised when delivered in unsuitable settings. The report detailed instances where patients waited for CPR in cramped corridors and faced unhygienic conditions, with some nurses reporting that patients had been sprayed with each other’s vomit. The dignity of dying patients was also compromised, as many faced death in busy, public areas without privacy.
The report raises concerns about staffing within the NHS, which has struggled to recruit and retain young talent. Many nurses reported feeling burned out and leaving the NHS, with some describing the challenge of caring for up to 40 patients daily in overcrowded conditions. Junior doctors have also gone on strike to protest low wages and demanding better working conditions.
In recent years, nurses have staged strikes to advocate for pay increases and improved working conditions, highlighting the critical staffing shortages that continue to plague the NHS.