NHS coping under pressure so far this winter Health Foundation response to NHS Monthly Performance Statistics for January 2019

Responding to the latest NHS Monthly Performance Statistics, Dr Becks Fisher, GP and Policy Fellow at the Health Foundation, said: 

‘Today’s data shows a busy NHS in England, but one that is coping under pressure so far. The number of people attending A&E and requiring admission to hospitals is higher than last year, but fewer people are experiencing delays leaving hospital. This is due in part to the NHS working better with social care to get people back home.

‘However, the NHS is not out of the woods yet.  It continues to miss a number of key targets – including for cancer and routine consultant appointments. We’re still in the early days of winter, and pressures are likely to increase further if cold weather or viral illnesses hit in earnest.  If these pressures were to hit, this would make it harder for the service to improve performance and start implementing the Long Term plan from April.’

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