The Royal College of Nursing's recent report on ‘corridor care’ paints a stark picture of the pressures facing our NHS. Patients being treated in hospital corridors has become an all-too-familiar symbol of a system under strain, compromising both patient dignity and staff morale.
Yet amid these challenges lies an opportunity to revolutionise how we manage patient flow and hospital capacity through the strategic deployment of robotics and artificial intelligence.
With NHS productivity still 16% below pre-pandemic levels and over 31,000 nursing vacancies in England alone, it’s imperative that we look beyond traditional solutions. What's needed is a fundamental transformation in how we utilise our existing resources through technological innovation.
Robotics offers practical, immediate solutions to the corridor care crisis while building towards a more efficient future healthcare system. This isn't about replacing healthcare workers - it's about empowering them to focus on patient care by automating routine, time-consuming tasks that contribute to bottlenecks and delays.
Responding quickly to today's crisis
Consider the impact of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) already operating in UK hospitals like the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital near Birmingham.
These robots transport supplies, medication, and equipment autonomously, responding to staff requests and navigating hospital corridors independently. By eliminating countless hours spent by clinical staff on logistics, AGVs free up valuable time for patient care and help reduce corridor congestion.
American company Diligent Robotics has taken this concept further with their “cobot” called Moxi, which works in tandem with clinical teams by taking on logistical tasks that often stand in the way of high-quality patient care.
AGVs free up valuable time for patient care and help reduce corridor congestion
Early adopters report significant improvements in patient flow and staff satisfaction, with nurses able to spend more time on direct patient care rather than hunting for supplies or managing equipment.
The technology extends beyond transport. AI-powered systems can predict patient flow patterns and bed demand with unprecedented accuracy, enabling proactive resource allocation before bottlenecks occur.
These predictive analytics tools, when combined with real-time monitoring, allow hospitals to anticipate and prevent corridor care situations before they develop.
AI algorithms can also identify subtle patterns in patients' behaviours and symptoms, facilitating earlier interventions and preventative measures tailored to individual needs. This could particularly benefit those managing chronic conditions, as intelligent systems can continuously analyse real-time health data to make dynamic adjustments to care programmes.
Capacity management
Room turnover represents another critical bottleneck that often leads to corridor care. Innovations like the Xenex germ-zapping robot can rapidly disinfect rooms using UV technology, dramatically reducing turnover times between patients.
This technology not only speeds up bed availability but also ensures high standards of cleanliness, reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections that can extend hospital stays and further strain capacity.
Room turnover represents another critical bottleneck that often leads to corridor care
In France, we're seeing promising results from socially assistive humanoid robots like 'Ari', which serve as hospital receptionists, greeting patients and directing them to appropriate departments. This streamlined patient navigation reduces confusion, prevents queuing, and allows staff to focus on more critical tasks. The impact on patient flow is significant - early trials show reduced wait times and more efficient use of clinical staff time.
Prevention and community care
Addressing corridor care isn't just about managing hospital capacity - it's about preventing unnecessary admissions in the first place.
Social robots being pioneered in regions like Lanarkshire demonstrate how robotics can support independent living and reduce pressure on acute services. These robots can monitor vital signs, remind patients to take medication, and facilitate remote consultations, helping prevent the escalation of conditions that might otherwise lead to emergency admissions.
The technology's potential extends into rehabilitation services, which play a crucial role in optimising patient flow.
At the National Robotarium, we're developing solutions like the VITALISE project, which uses robotic coaches to support stroke rehabilitation. With the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recently recommending that stroke victims receive at least three hours of rehabilitation daily, five days a week, such innovations could significantly reduce pressure on physiotherapy services and free up acute beds.
Economic benefits and market opportunity
The economic argument for these solutions is compelling. The global healthcare robotics market is projected to reach £24 billion by 2035.
With strategic investment and coordinated action, the UK could capture a significant share of this growing market while simultaneously improving our health service. Even modest efficiency improvements through robotics could generate millions in savings for reinvestment in frontline care.
Moreover, by positioning the NHS as an informed customer for robotics technology, we could stimulate the growth of a powerful new economic sector. This would create high-skilled jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and technology while improving patient care - a win-win scenario for our economy and our healthcare system.
The path forward
Realising these benefits requires coordinated action. The government's recent commitment of £2 billion for NHS technology and digital transformation provides a foundation, but we must ensure these funds are invested strategically in solutions that address immediate crises while building long-term capability. This means developing clear procurement pathways for innovative technologies, while creating supportive regulation that ensures patient safety without stifling adoption.
We must invest in comprehensive workforce training to maximise the benefits of automation and build strong partnerships between healthcare providers, technology developers, and research institutions to accelerate innovation.
Realising these benefits requires coordinated action
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney recently outlined this vision during his visit to the National Robotarium, emphasising the government's commitment to “use innovation - digital and technological - to improve access to care.”
Similarly, the UK Government's plan to 'Build an NHS Fit for the Future' promises to “capitalise on the scientific and technological revolution happening all around us to deliver better outcomes for patients.”
These are encouraging statements, but the corridor care crisis demands urgent action to match this rhetoric. Other countries are moving aggressively to capture the healthcare robotics opportunity, but the UK has unique advantages in this race. Our integrated health service, world-class universities, and emerging robotics cluster provide the perfect foundation for innovation.
The integration of robotics and artificial intelligence will accelerate a shift towards truly personalised, person-centric care. So, the question isn't whether robotics will transform healthcare delivery - it's whether the UK will lead this transformation or watch from the sidelines. By embracing robotics strategically, we can address the immediate corridor care crisis while building a more resilient, efficient healthcare system for the future. The technology exists or is in development - what we need now is the vision and commitment to implement it at scale.