Ipswich Hospital trust pledges to end corridor care within year

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 16 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

ESNEFT's new chief executive has committed to eliminating corridor care at Ipswich Hospital within 12 months.

Paul Scott, the new chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), has pledged to end corridor care at Ipswich Hospital within 12 months, calling the practice 'unacceptable'. He aims to significantly reduce it this winter. The trust says it uses corridors only during extreme demand, with patients assessed first, given access to a registered nurse and monitored as closely as ward patients.

However, the Care Quality Commission inspected ESNEFT in November 2025 following safety concerns and rated the trust's leadership 'requires improvement'. Inspectors found weak oversight and decision-making, citing concerns including inadequate monitoring of patients' basic needs such as food and fluids, and delayed mental health support in A&E. The CQC issued warning notices at both Colchester and Ipswich hospitals. Sarah Ivory Donnelly, the CQC's deputy director of hospitals in the East of England, said leaders understood the problems but had not acted fast enough to reduce the risk of avoidable harm.

ESNEFT accepted the CQC findings but stressed the inspection was carried out almost a year ago and its leadership has changed significantly. Mr Scott and trust chair Tracy Dowling said they recognised the opportunities for improvement. The trust serves nearly one million people through two main hospitals, six community hospitals and health services across east Suffolk and north Essex.

How it is being reported

• Ipswich Hospital leaders 'not quick enough' over safety risks, CQC findsCQC rates ESNEFT leadership ‘requires improvement’ after safety risks at Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, including poor monitoring and delayed mental health care.Ipswich Star · 16 Oct, 07:41
• Ipswich Hospital leaders 'not quick enough' over safety risks, CQC findsCQC rates ESNEFT leadership ‘requires improvement’ after safety risks at Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, including poor monitoring and delayed mental health care.East Anglian Daily Times · 16 Oct, 07:41
• New Ipswich Hospital boss calls for end to 'unacceptable' corridor careThe new chief executive of ESNEFT has pledged to significantly reduce corridor care at Ipswich Hospital this winter and eliminate it within 12 months.Ipswich Star · 15 Oct, 11:00

In this story: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust · Paul Scott · Ipswich Hospital · Care Quality Commission · Colchester Hospital · Tracy Dowling · Sarah Ivory Donnelly

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem