- £140 million invested into 14 new urgent care schemes from new urgent treatment centres and ambulance fleets to emergency department upgrades
- Additional 25 new or expanded urgent care sites opening in time for winter
- Public encouraged to get flu jabs to help ease pressure on the NHS this winter
Today (18 October), the government is announcing that almost £140 million will be invested in 14 new urgent care schemes across England, including new urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and same day emergency care services (SDECs), new ambulance fleets, and emergency department upgrades, providing a significant increase in frontline and urgent care capacity.
A further 25 new or expanded urgent care sites announced in April will be open for winter, providing additional frontline capacity as the NHS prepares for the heavy demands of the colder months.
The investment follows a summer of record NHS activity and extreme heat. With seasonal illnesses, including flu and norovirus, adding to the heavy workload over winter, the NHS has been preparing since July to meet patients’ needs and protect patient safety.
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
Winter will be more challenging for our NHS this year, after such a heavy summer. That’s why we have been preparing early and investing in extra urgent care capacity to help get patients the care they need.
NHS staff worked incredibly hard to keep on top of the extra pressure this summer. Now we need to support them in delivering for patients through the winter season, so our NHS is there for all of us when we need it.
In total, the government is investing almost £2 billion in urgent care capital projects until 2030, improving facilities and ensuring people can get care closer to home, on top of a £1.5 billion investment confirmed so far for projects to address urgent maintenance problems across the NHS estate.
Dr Emma Rowland, NHS 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 and make sure patients get the care they need, while protecting our staff.
Investment in same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres will help more patients get the right care in the right place, at the right time.
Prevention is just as important, so if you’re eligible for a flu or other winter vaccination then please come forward and get protected.
Vaccination helps protect you, your family, some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and, for those working in health and social care, the patients we care for.
Alongside increasing urgent care capacity, the government has expanded the Pharmacy First scheme, so people can get support with a wider range of common conditions at their local pharmacy, and enhanced GP access through evening, weekend and out-of-hours appointments during the colder months.
Prevention remains one of the best ways to protect patients and services, which is why more community pharmacies are offering the flu jab this year, with eligibility expanded to include more vulnerable groups, including people experiencing homelessness. The NHS is also rolling out digital tools to simplify the booking process for parents, schools and vaccination teams. Over 7.4 million flu vaccinations had been delivered in England by 11 October. So far, more children have been vaccinated this year than last.
This winter, the single best thing eligible people can do is get their flu jab and other vaccines, to protect themselves against preventable illness and help relieve pressure on the NHS. Booking is open now.
Sir Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of the NHS Alliance, said:
This is a welcome investment to strengthen NHS urgent and emergency care and frontline capacity.
NHS leaders and their teams continue to work hard to provide high-quality, timely care as services prepare for the winter months.
With demand on NHS services remaining high, the priority needs to be easing pressure on hospitals, improving patient flow and supporting more people to receive care closer to home or return home sooner.