NHS to receive £140m for urgent care ahead of challenging winter

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 08:27 · Archive

Health secretary Yvette Cooper has announced £140m investment in England's urgent care system, saying the NHS faces a more challenging winter than normal after an unusually heavy summer. The funding will support 14 schemes across England, including new urgent care centres, ambulance fleets and upgrades to emergency departments. Cooper said the government has been preparing since July to deal with the impact of seasonal illnesses including flu and norovirus.

The announcement follows record summer pressure on the NHS. Almost 7.3 million people attended A&E between June and August in England, the highest figure for a summer period. Multiple heatwaves contributed to this strain on the service. Health thinktank the King's Fund warned of a 'twin crisis' facing the NHS, with little time for staff and the system to recover between peak periods.

NHS leaders have already flagged early signs of winter pressure. Prof Frankie Swords, the NHS's national medical director, said there were 'ominous' signs of an early flu season, with hospital admissions for the virus at the highest she could remember for the time of year. Emma Rowland, NHS England's executive director for performance and delivery, said: 'We know this winter will be tough for the NHS and we're doing everything we can to reduce pressure on our emergency departments.' The Royal College of Nursing said the funding was 'just another sticking plaster', whilst shadow health secretary Damian Hinds questioned where the money was coming from.

How it is being reported

• NHS handed £140million boost to ease winter pressures in urgent careA further 25 new or expanded urgent care sites announced in April will now be open for winter, in what minister say will provide extra capacity on frontline capacity during the colder monthsThe Mirror · 18 Oct, 08:33
• NHS faces more challenging winter than normal, health secretary warnsYvette Cooper has announced £140m investment in England's urgent care system, after summer heatwaves piled pressure on the NHS.BBC News · 18 Oct, 08:05
• Yvette Cooper pledges £140m to boost urgent care as NHS faces ‘tough’ winterHealth secretary says government has been preparing early and will spend money on ambulances and A&E upgrades The NHS faces a more challenging winter than normal, the health secretary has warned, as she announced a £140m increase for urgent care in England. Yvette Cooper said the money would help increase capacity, and that the NHS has been preparing since July to deal with the impact of seasonal illnesses. Continue reading...The Guardian · 18 Oct, 00:00

In this story: Yvette Cooper · Frankie Swords · Royal College of Nursing · NHS England · England

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