Urgent and emergency care

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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Handover delays fall despite increase in patients being taken to A&E by ambulance

Ambulance waits outside A&E reduced despite thousands more people being taken to hospital last week and continued pressures across the NHS, new figures show today. The weekly winter data, published today, shows ambulances transported 77,937 patients to A&Es across the country last week, up from 72,009 the week before. Despite the increase in patients, fewer […]

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NHS advice to patients ahead of ambulance strikes tomorrow

Commenting ahead of tomorrow’s ambulance strikes NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “As with other ambulance strikes the message to patients remains that it is vital to come forward and seek emergency care if needed. “This includes calling 999 for life threatening emergencies as well as using 111 online for other health needs […]

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Patients encourage public to get flu jabs as hospital cases soar

NHS patients from around England have joined health chiefs in pleading with the public to get their flu vaccines after being hospitalised with the virus. It comes as the latest data shows there were 5,500 patients in hospital with flu last week and more than 9,000 patients with COVID. A woman from Buckinghamshire has said […]

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