Scot Lib Dems call for data on corridor care to be collected and published

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Adam Harley has today called on the Scottish Government to finally publish data into patients being treated in hospital corridors as he warned that hiding from the problem would not make it go away.

His call comes as the Scottish Government confirmed that it is considering the feasibility of national data collection, with Health Secretary Angela Constance admitting that the prevalence of patients receiving care in non-standard areas is “too high”.

This data is recorded in England, with recent figures showing corridor care in hospital wards with 22,470 patients recorded in June, while emergency departments saw 72,955 instances in June 2026.

Adam Harley said:

“When patients are being treated in corridors, it is a clear sign that the system is under intolerable pressure. No patient should be treated in a corridor, and no doctor or nurse should have to provide care in those conditions."

“The figures from England paint a grim picture but from speaking to those receiving care or on the frontline of delivering it, these “corridor care wards” have become normalised in Scotland too. We must never accept this as normal.”

“Ministers need to explain to patients, families and NHS staff how they will finally end this unacceptable situation. That starts with proper collection and publication of data on the scale of the problem.

“The failure to fix social care means our hospitals are full of people who are ready to leave, while A&E waiting rooms are full of people waiting to be seen.”

“Far too many people are stuck in hospital, despite being medically ready to leave, because the care package they need isn’t available.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want to encourage more people into caring professions and boost pay and conditions for care workers so that everyone is seen in good time and we get our NHS back on track.”