By George Lythgoe

Andy Burnham said he was shocked by a report that revealed patients have died in hospital corridors in the north west.

Appearing on the weekly 'In The Hotseat' programme on BBC Radio Manchester, Andy Burnham was told of the experiences of a Manchester nurse who said she has endured dire working conditions on a daily basis.  

It comes following the publication of a report from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) that documented the experiences of more than 5,000 NHS nursing staff.

Accounts from staff across the north west revealed patients have died in emergency departments while waiting in corridors for beds; a lack of adequate equipment; and a lack of dignity and privacy for those being treated.

In response, Mr Burnham said: "That's shocking. And I speak as a former health secretary, I was responsible for the NHS going back 15 years now. It's just gone down and down since the early 2010's and you get to a point like this."

The report found seven in 10 in 10 staff members said they were delivering care in over-crowded or unsuitable locations – such as corridors, converted cupboards and even car parks – on a daily basis.

The RCN report said demoralised nursing staff are caring for as many as 40 patients in a single corridor, unable to access oxygen, cardiac monitors, suction and other lifesaving equipment.

"There has got to be a focus on, I would say, social care," Mr Burnham continued.

"The problem is that hospitals become so full of people who can't be discharged home that the pressure backs up right the way through the hospital and leads to people being held in corridors. There is just no getting away from it.

"The government has said they've got an urgent piece of work going in.  I would say you've got to get that funding in as soon as possible to build up a social care system to tackle the pressure off our hospitals."

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