Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine survey data published in its Safe to Care campaign report, 7 September 2026, what steps her Department is taking to reduce hospital overcrowding and corridor care to help prevent staff abuse.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 July to Question 17438, which sets out the Government’s approach to reducing pressures across urgent and emergency care, including overcrowding and corridor care. NHS England also provides targeted support to trusts experiencing the highest levels of corridor care, including patient flow and reducing overcrowding.

The NHS Staff Standards introduced in July 2026 include a specific standard on violence prevention and reduction. This requires National Health Service organisations to take action to prevent and reduce violence and abuse towards staff, including through risk assessment, training, reporting arrangements, and support for staff following incidents.