Hospital corridor deaths a 'national emergency

Lack of beds leads to patients put in cupboards

- JACKIE GRANT

NURSES are set to declare a "national emergency" today, warning NHS patients are dying in hospital corridors.

More than one in three nursing staff in Scottish hospitals reported having to treat patients in inappropriate settings including corridors and cupboards, due to a lack of beds - sometimes for days.

And over half say it left them without access to life-saving equipment including oxygen.

The situation will be top of the agenda at The Royal College of Nursing's conference in Wales.

Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland executive director, said: "It's entirely unacceptable for patients that their care is being compromised by it so often taking place in an inappropriate setting.