Millions being invested in NHS ahead of what could be a "difficult" winter
£200 million pounds is going to be spent to try and make it more "resilient"
The Government's announced it's spending £200m to help support NHS services through the peak months of winter.
On top of that there'll also be £40m invested in social care capacity to help improve discharge from hospital.
The new funding follows a meeting between the Prime Minister, Health Secretary, NHS chiefs and clinical leaders yesterday, to drive forward planning to ease pressures in urgent and emergency care while protecting waiting list targets this winter.
Winter is the busiest time for the NHS with increased pressure from flu, Covid and seasonal illness - combined this year with the ongoing pressure from industrial action.
The Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan announced earlier this year was backed by £1 billion to boost capacity in the health system by providing 5,000 additional beds, 800 new ambulances and 10,000 virtual wards.
The Government says as a result significant progress has been made – compared to July 2022, Category 2 ambulance response times are now 27 minutes faster, there are 2,500 more general and acute beds and 9,700 virtual ward beds available, and there are 1,500 fewer people stuck in hospital when they are medically fit to be discharged.
That comes on top of the Primary Care Recovery Plan which they say is freeing up 15 million GP appointments to help end the 8am rush.
It says it also remains committed to cutting waiting lists.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Patients can be reassured that I will always back the NHS, so that those who most need help and support will get the care they need.
“Winter is the most challenging time for the health service, which is why we’ve been planning for it all year - with huge government investment to fund new ambulances, beds and virtual wards.
“This extra £200 million will bolster the health service during its busiest period, while protecting elective care so we can keep cutting waiting lists.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “I know winter brings immense challenges for the NHS which is why we are working with health leaders to make sure we are prepared earlier.
“We are working closely with trusts to see how we can continue to use technology and new ways of working to strengthen health and social services, alongside the thousands of new hospital beds and hundreds of new ambulances we are already providing.
“Yesterday I heard and witnessed first-hand how all parts of the NHS are coming together to make sure it is resilient to winter pressures for years to come.”
Investment welcomed by health bosses
Chief Executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard said: “NHS staff are already working incredibly hard to prepare for this year with robust plans underway to boost capacity, including through having more ambulances on the road, more beds, and increasing the use of virtual wards.
"Today’s clear support and confirmation of funding from the government is welcome."
Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England said: “We know that many patients are concerned about being able to access timely care when the NHS is under so much pressure.
“Therefore, any extra investment to help ensure people can get care they need this winter will be welcomed by patients and services alike.”
What is Labour saying?
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said the announcement was a “sticking plaster when the NHS needs major surgery” and claimed it would do “nothing” compared with the damage of ongoing strikes.
“If the Conservatives are not even going to try to put a stop to these strikes, then what is the point of them?” he asked.