NHS patients have been treated in places like mop cupboards because there was no space left on a ward. That’s according to a survey of 900 nurses printed in the Nursing Times this month. Almost two-thirds of those who took part said they had experienced patients being treated in an area that hadn’t been specifically designated for treatment. Among the places named in the survey that were used when wards were full were kitchens and storerooms as well as mop cupboards and the majority of those nurses who were surveyed recognised that this could have caused added risk to patients. It is reports like these that show the strain the NHS is under that may encourage some people to get a quote for private medical insurance to gain access to a private hospital should they become ill, where demand is much less and quality of care is generally higher.


The Royal College of Nursing has expressed their concerns over these findings, whilst they recognise that in some instances it may be necessary to use non-clinical areas for treatment. Spokesperson, Janet Davies, told the BBC, "As pressures inside the NHS start to rise due to budget cutbacks, it is vital that nurses and other healthcare staff are confident that their concerns over failures in patient care will be heard." These pressures are becoming a concern for some people who decide to take out a private medical insurance policy to give themselves extra peace of mind. The Patient’s Association have also added their criticism to the findings of this study. Katherine Murphy, from the group also spoke to the BBC. "This is completely unacceptable. Yet again, this survey highlights the gap between rhetoric and reality in the NHS lottery of care."