NHSE issues fire risk warning over ‘corridor care’

It comes as emergency departments face increasing pressure from national and regional officials to find more space for patients this winter – even when they are deemed full to capacity – to reduce ambulance handover delays.

Many hospitals have already expanded into spaces not intended for patients. In some this has meant new corridor spaces being used to treat patients.

The guidance, issued earlier this month, says trusts should complete new fire safety risk assessments before bringing any new part of a hospital into use for patient care, or extending the capacity of an existing area. It also said trusts have a legal duty to ensure escape routes are kept clear.

It added: “As we continue to find extra capacity in the estate by newly using, or re-using, parts of hospitals for patient treatment or care, or increasing the capacity of existing areas, we would like to remind you of how any change of use of areas may affect fire safety requirements.

“Under no circumstances must fire compliance be compromised on sites which have been changed.”

Mark Chubb, technical director of the Institution of Fire Engineers, told HSJ that corridor care “should be avoided wherever possible”.

He added: “The use of corridors as overflow wards needs to be risk assessed carefully by a competent fire safety professional. It is important to maintain clear egress routes and facilitate segregation of patient care areas to limit smoke and fire spread in the event of fire.

“Particular care should be taken assessing the capacity of the staff and compartments used when assessing the capability to evacuate both from and into the compartment holding additional beds.”

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine agreed that corridor care should be avoided due to fire safety concerns.

An RCEM spokesman added: “Overfull waiting rooms and corridors present serious safety concerns. Corridor care is undignified and unsafe, and this is just another piece of corroborating evidence that illustrates why we must fix flow through our hospitals.”