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New research released today indicates that many patients awaiting treating on the NHS could be receiving their doctoring in hospital corridors due to a shortage of hospital beds. This will mean some patients will have to wait for hours before receiving any treatment. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), who carried the study, found that patients are sometimes treated on trolleys in corridors because there is simply no room for them on the  wards, as the number of beds on acute and general wards has dropped by a fifth during the past ten years. One in five nurses surveyed even admitted that they were having to treat their patients in corridors on almost a 'daily occurrence', while half said they had witnessed patients being left on trolleys for hours. Even ambulances have been affected, being forced to queue behind others in order to drop off their patients. Speaking to the BBC, RCN general secretary Peter Carter said:

"Treating patients on corridors and areas not designed for care is a high-risk strategy, which can have a serious impact on patient care. Patients need to be able to interact with staff, to be able to reach call bells and to know they are visible."

Private Medical Insurance is no longer out of reach for the proverbial Brit, with some new policies as cheap as a cup of coffee. A flourishing insurance market has lead to the creation of a wide range of health insurance policies. This means that you can now get covered from as little as £3 per month. For a sum as small as this, you are buying the piece of mind that, should the need arise, you - and your family (depending on your policy) will receive medical treatment privately, without any worry about NHS waiting lists. PMI has always been pigeon-holed at a questionable height, and those that buy into it have not always helped its cause. London mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone only recently attracted some negative headlines, when it was revealed that he uses his private cover for annual checkups. However, with many new and much cheaper policies hitting the market recently, private medical cover is starting to shed its stigma. By forgoing a few cups of coffee a day, you can set aside enough money to buy yourself your very own cover.* You even have to option to pay the premium in one lump sum or over monthly instalments. Although the NHS often provides a good level of service, the constant pressure on its sometimes-lacking resources are huge, affecting the quality and efficiency of the care it can offer. But  with private medical cover, your policy will grant you access to a wide choice of hospitals and specialists. The best facilities will be at your disposal, including: private en-suite rooms equipped with a television, telephone and radio – all aspects you wouldn't normally get on the NHS. *Note that your premiums may be higher depending on your requirements - make a list of your needs and compare quotes from different providers to ensure you get the best deal possible.