Commenting on the publication today (30 January) of NHS England’s 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance, Dr Nick Murch, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The current situation is dire. The summer was spent largely at winter levels of pressure and, unsurprisingly, when we entered winter hospitals were overrun.
“There is nothing new in the suggested ‘plan’ for urgent and emergency care, most of which is already in place and at full capacity.
“It is also disingenuous to suggest short-term fixes to the urgent and emergency care crisis exist and disrespectful to patients and staff to continue doing so.
“Repeated rhetoric and gimmicks are not the answer to preventing further winters that will be unbearable and unsafe for patients and staff alike.
“We simply need the government and NHS leaders to be honest about the need for fundamental workforce and capacity reform in the NHS, along with the provision of social care, and accept it is the only way to overcome these eternal issues.”