More than half of nurses have treated patients receiving end-of-life care in corridors or other makeshift spaces, a damning report reveals.
Terminally ill patients are being condemned to ‘undignified’ deaths and poor quality care in NHS hospitals due to crippling staff shortages, the health workers warn.
Meanwhile, overcrowding means some of the most vulnerable are left languishing on trollies where they must go to the toilet and even die in ‘full glare of the public’.
Nurses told researchers of widespread problems in care planning, leading to uncertainty and in some cases patients being resuscitated against their wishes.
The survey of 1,153 UK nurses and healthcare professionals by the charity Marie Curie and nursing website Nursing Standard found 55 per cent had treated patients in corridors or non-clinical areas, such as cupboards and offices.
More than seven in ten said people being treated in areas not designed for end-of-life care compromised dignity and left families and loved ones distressed.
In terms of barriers to providing care, 72 per cent said staffing levels are a constraint, while 56 per cent said a lack of time is an issue.
Elsewhere, the study found there were problems with care planning, which led to uncertainty around patient wishes at the end of their life.
Overcrowding means some of the most vulnerable patients are left languishing on trollies where they must go to the toilet and even die in ‘full glare of the public’.
More than a third of nurses said they had witnessed CPR being performed when they felt it was inappropriate.
One nurse told of a CPR being performed on a terminal cancer patient who ended up dying on the bathroom floor.
They said: ‘We were never going to get her back.
‘She died on the floor in the bathroom, undignified, family hysterical, staff all left traumatised.’
Another nurse said an older man carried a paper care plan in his pocket to ensure he was not subject to intervention against his wishes.
Sarah Williamson, director of nursing and quality at Marie Curie, said: ‘These harrowing stories are incredibly difficult to read, but it’s so important that we are aware of the stark reality facing nurses, clinical teams, families and patients every day.
‘When someone has taken the time to think about how they want to die, that decision should follow them, wherever they are and to whoever is caring for them.
‘Corridor care is a symptom of a system under strain and A&E has become a default for some people at the end of life in moments of crisis, when there’s nowhere else to turn.
Nurses told researchers of widespread problems in care planning, leading to uncertainty and in some cases patients being resuscitated against their wishes.
‘The UK Government has promised to publish a modern services framework to overhaul end-of-life care in England.
‘This needs to be a fully funded plan to deliver access to 24/7 palliative care, medication and co-ordinated support closer to home to reduce the numbers being forced to turn to A&E.
‘The Prime Minister has publicly stated palliative care needs fixing; here is his chance.’
Marie Curie is calling on the Government to use the Health Bill to address gaps in the system.
The charity said the single patient record should be available to all palliative patients and end-of-life care providers to ensure people’s wishes are respected.
Professor Lynn Woolsey, chief nursing officer at the Royal College of Nursing, said: ‘No one deserves to receive care in a hospital corridor, let alone someone at the end of their life.
‘These non-clinical areas are fundamentally unsafe, denying nursing staff access to basic equipment such as oxygen and suction for the people in their care.
‘They’re also totally undignified, leaving some of the most vulnerable to receive treatment, use the toilet and sometimes die in full glare of the public. It’s totally unacceptable.
‘To prevent those with terminal illnesses from enduring such shocking care, we need the Government to deliver on its commitment to keep people comfortable closer to home.
‘District nurses are key here, but their numbers have plummeted over the last decade leaving vulnerable people with nowhere else to turn.
‘This sadly means that those approaching the end of their life are being hospitalised, which is why we also need action to boost hospital bed numbers and ensure there are enough nursing staff to provide safe and dignified care’
Jane Turner, chief nursing officer at palliative care and bereavement charity Sue Ryder, said: ‘No one should spend their final moments in a crowded hospital corridor, without privacy, comfort or dignity.
‘And no family should have to say goodbye to someone they love in such distressing circumstances.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘People at the end of their lives deserve safe, compassionate and dignified care – not to be treated in a corridor.
‘We are determined to end corridor care and have published data for the first time to identify where pressure is greatest and where action is needed.
‘We are also making sure people’s wishes for their end of life care are better understood and respected.
‘The Single Patient Record will allow advance care plans to be shared across different care settings, so the professionals looking after someone can see their wishes when they need them.
‘This autumn, we will publish a new framework for palliative and end-of-life care, setting out how we will improve access to high-quality, personalised care and strengthen advance care planning.’
