Caerphilly Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle quizzed First Minister Eluned Morgan today on the hospital corridor care crisis.
The Plaid Cymru MS described the situation as “deeply alarming indicator of the severe pressures facing the Welsh NHS”.
Lindsay Whittle brought up the issue during questions to the First Minister.
He described corridor care as representing “a fundamental failure to uphold the dignity and basic comfort of vulnerable patients”.
“I can name a number of individuals who have come to me since I was elected who have recently experienced this unacceptable level of care in our health boards. One, an old school friend, sadly did not make it. This is unacceptable and not the standard of care the people of Wales deserve, and it is a painful memory that no family should have to endure.
“This is driving burnout, exacerbating retention challenges, and placing even greater strain on an already overstretched workforce. Addressing corridor care must, therefore, include not only immediate action to protect patient dignity, but a serious commitment to supporting, valuing and retaining the staff who are holding our health service together under intolerable pressure,” added Lindsay Whittle.
“Lindsay Whittle may have read that last statement but what is really encouraging are those concerns came from two of the patients I have recently spoken about. Not concerned with themselves, although obviously their families were, but the staff who looked after them.”
He wanted to know what the chairs of the health boards were doing to tackle the issue.
In response, the First Minister said: “None of us want to see our loved ones being treated in corridors. We have made it clear that it is not something that is acceptable to the Welsh Government. We are supporting health boards to drive down care in temporary spaces in hospital, including corridors, by helping to expand clinical capacity.”