Patients in corridors for long periods

NHS patients are being left in hospital corridors for long periods and missing timely access to specialist care, health leaders have warned.

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The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) said data shows that fewer than one in five acutely unwell patients are receiving their first assessment in an acute medical unit.

AMUs are short stay assessment and admission units for patients who need specialist assessment and/or opinion.

Patients are referred to AMUs by emergency department doctors, other departments, or directly by a GP.