First winter 'sit rep' data for NHS shows pressures hitting from all directions

Responding to the first weekly winter sit rep data for this year published by NHS England today, Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, said:

‘Today’s data confirms that the NHS is entering the most challenging period of the year, with pressures hitting the health and care service from all directions. Rising flu waves and industrial action are adding strain to a system that is already struggling to deliver timely care for patients. The flu season started unusually early this year and is yet to peak, so it is too soon to know how long this surge will be sustained for.

‘In the recent Autumn Budget, the Chancellor protected the NHS, but it is still extremely difficult to see how this funding settlement can deliver all the ambitious commitments the government has made to improve and transform patient care.

‘The number of people arriving in hospital by ambulance is higher than this time last year, but people are spending less time waiting outside A&E in an ambulance. However, patients still do not know the full picture of just how tough this winter will be as we await the long-promised corridor care data. The Health Secretary has said that transparency is essential and we urge the government to release this information quickly so that the public can have a fuller understanding of the pressures in our emergency care system.

‘This data also reinforces the importance of prevention and the government successfully realising its ambitions in the 10 Year Health Plan of more care in the community. The rollout of neighbourhood health centres announced around the budget is welcome. These centres won’t help improve care this winter but are part of the government’s wider plan to provide more comprehensive, accessible and technologically enabled care out of hospital. These longer-term changes may mean that one day, every winter isn’t a crisis for patient care.’

Notes to editors

For further information, or to request an interview, please contact The King's Fund media team on 020 7307 2585 or [email protected].

The King's Fund is an independent charity working to improve people's health. Our vision is a world where everyone can live a healthy life. Our mission is to inspire hope and build confidence for positive change. We achieve this through expert insights and original research, developing leaders and their organisations, convening, and strategic, collaborative partnerships.