Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that England’s NHS may face a harder winter than usual after its busiest summer on record. She announced £140m to increase urgent care capacity ahead of seasonal illnesses, including flu and norovirus.
The money will fund 14 schemes across England, among them new urgent care centres, ambulance fleets and emergency department upgrades. NHS figures show almost 7.3 million A&E attendances between June and August, the highest recorded for a summer period.
NHS medical director Prof Frankie Swords said earlier this month that more patients than usual for the time of year were coming to A&E with flu and other respiratory viruses. NHS leaders are urging eligible people to get flu vaccinations.
Shadow health secretary Damian Hinds asked the government to explain where the money would come from. The Royal College of Nursing in England welcomed the short-term funding but said it would offer only a temporary fix.
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