The Bracing for winter report by the RCN said ministers had failed to invest in hospital and community capacity or boost staffing levels since last winter.
‘Nursing staff and patients alike endured a horrendous winter last year, with corridor care rife across every service,' said Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN general secretary and chief executive.
‘Worryingly, after no respite in the summer, the signs point to the coming colder months being devastating and more dangerous for patients.'
Between July and September this year, 116,141 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E after a decision to admit, compared to just 1,281 in 2019 – an increase of almost 9,000%.
Over the same period, overnight bed capacity grew by only 2%, adding 2,192 beds, meaning 52 patients sick enough to be admitted competing for each additional bed.
In addition, NHS discharge data from October 2025 showed an average of 13,117 patients stayed in hospital each day despite being ready for discharge – up 6% on last year.
The RCN called on the Government to deliver on its commitment to publish corridor care data, fund more beds, improve nurse staffing levels and accelerate investment in community services.
Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘These findings are deeply concerning and are yet more evidence of rising demand on the NHS, leaving patients being treated in unsuitable places such as corridors and temporary wards. Corridor care is undignified, unsafe and frustrating for patients and their families, and leaves NHS staff unable to provide the care they would like to.
‘Health leaders continue to work on the root causes of corridor care, trying to ensure flow through the system by improving patient discharge, working with local authorities to improve social care support, and prioritising vulnerable older patients at the front door through increased frailty screening.'
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘No one should receive care in a corridor in a chair or trolley - it is unacceptable and undignified. We are determined to end this, which is why we're publishing corridor waiting figures so we can take the steps needed to eradicate it from our health service. Sunlight is the best disinfectant to stop this practise.
‘This winter, we are investing almost £450m to expand same day and urgent care services, upgrading up to 500 ambulances, delivering new mental health crisis centres, and giving NHS leaders more power to deliver local solutions.
‘On top of this, we are ramping up activity of vital vaccinations, to ensure you and your loved ones stay protected from flu and other diseases. Together, we can ensure the NHS is there when you need it.'
