In an effort to free up badly needed beds amid one of its harshest winters ever, England’s National Health Service (NHS) plans to start releasing thousands of patients into care homes and other settings in the coming weeks.
COVID-19 Chaos in England
The state-run health system, which provides free care to the entire population and was until recently a point of pride for many Britons, is under stress as a result of years of relative underinvestment, the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects, and frontline staff members’ pay-related strikes.
In order to transfer patients to emergency wards, ambulances have been lining up outside hospitals as doctors and nurses struggle to discharge patients due to a shortage of staff members and beds.
According to a statement from the government, up to 200 million pounds ($242 million) in additional funding will be made available in England to purchase short-term care facilities so that patients with low medical needs can receive care outside of a hospital, as well as 50 million pounds to upgrade current facilities.
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Overwhelmed Hospitals
A strategy employed by the NHS in England during the pandemic, when hospitals aimed to free up as many beds as possible for use by COVID-19 patients, is being revived with the goal of transferring some patients to different settings.
The health minister, Steve Barclay, stated in the statement that “the NHS is under great pressure from COVID-19 and flu, and on top of handling the backlog generated by the pandemic, Strep A, and anticipated strikes, this winter poses an exceptional challenge.”
Reducing hospital waiting lists is one of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s top five priorities for this year, he stated last week. He warned that this objective might take longer to accomplish than others.
The opposition Labour Party, however, claimed the funds have not yet reached the front line and arrive too late to make a difference this winter. The government has previously announced additional funding for the NHS and social care, including 600 million pounds ($500 million) for patient discharges.
According to health services figures, during the week leading up to the New Year, more than 90% of hospital beds were occupied, with patients who were medically qualified for discharge occupying 13,000 of those beds per day.
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