Urgent and emergency care

NHS weekly winter operational update for the week ending 19 March 2023

Commenting on this morning’s updated weekly sitrep figures, NHS England’s chief strategy officer, Chris Hopson, said: “Three years since the NHS treated the first Covid patient in hospital, new figures today show our hardworking staff have now treated more than one million patients with Covid in hospitals across England throughout the pandemic. While we are […]

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Some hospitals see busiest Monday of the year so far for A&E attendance

NHS national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “Emergency departments remained under severe pressure yesterday (13 March), and, while we are prioritising urgent and critical care, it’s important to remember that GP surgeries and pharmacies are largely unaffected and that 111 online can help with many non-urgent needs. “Some hospitals even saw their busiest […]

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NHS continues to make huge strides reducing waits for patients despite winter pressures

The number of people waiting longest for routine care has fallen, despite hospitals having to contend with high levels of winter viruses and strike action, new figures show today. Thanks to the hard work of staff, the NHS is making significant progress against its elective recovery plan, with the number of people waiting over 18 […]

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Millions of patients to benefit from care at home thanks to NHS community response teams 

Millions more people will benefit from quicker care at home thanks to the boosted rollout of healthcare teams in the community, as part of the NHS plan to recover urgent and emergency care services. Almost a quarter of a million people (226,895) have received urgent medical support from home – many avoiding a hospital stay […]

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Today’s industrial action by ambulance workers

NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “As we have seen with previous industrial action, disruption is inevitable, however, it is vital that people do not put off seeking care and dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency and come forward for treatment using 111 online for non-life threatening care, as well as local pharmacies […]

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England’s top doctor thanks staff for reducing time lost to ambulance handover delays by over a third

Commenting on weekly NHS winter pressures data published this morning showing the time lost to ambulance handover delays reduced by over a third week-on-week. NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “Thanks to hardworking frontline staff and extra capacity including beds and virtual wards rolled out this winter, time lost to ambulance handover delays […]

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England’s top doctor urges patients to access emergency care despite biggest strikes in NHS history next week

The NHS is asking patients to seek urgent care if they need it during industrial action next week and continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to rearrange. England’s top doctor has warned next week’s action could be the most disruptive yet as the NHS faces the biggest round of industrial action in its […]

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Major plan to recover urgent and emergency care services

The NHS and the government will publish a new blueprint today to help recover urgent and emergency care services, reduce waiting times, and improve patient experience. Frontline capacity will be boosted further thanks to 800 new ambulances, including 100 specialist mental health vehicles, and 5,000 more sustainable hospital beds backed by a £1 billion dedicated […]

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