Extreme winter pressures are straining NHS services. New data from the NHS found that A&E and ambulance services were the busiest they had ever been as there was a 9.9% increase in A&E admissions in 2024 compared to the previous December, higher demands for ambulances, and more beds opening up to accommodate the influx of patients as flu, norovirus and RSV cases increase.
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‘It is clear that hospitals are under exceptional pressure at the start of this new year,’ Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director said. ‘With mammoth demand stemming from this ongoing cold weather snap and respiratory viruses like flu – all on the back of 2024 being the busiest year on record for A&E and ambulance teams
The strain on the NHS workforce is also showing, as demand for more staff continues. Despite the influx of patients and the strain in hospitals, NHS staff still administered 29 million COVID and flu vaccines, saw most A&E patients within four hours, and shortened waitlist numbers. However, the pressure continues as staff absences increased by nearly 7% in comparison to the previous week due to self-isolation or illness, leaving hospitals understaffed.
‘Nursing staff have repeatedly called for investment in social care and community services to ease the pressure on hospitals, but successive governments ignored them,’ said RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger. ‘We also need urgent investment in the nursing workforce which is battling under the strain of over 30,000 vacancies.’