The UK health secretary has stated that the government will block-book beds in residential homes so that around 2,500 patients can be medically discharged from hospitals.
Steve Barclay presented a speech to the Commons explaining the proposals to assist alleviate the “severe pressures” on the NHS, only hours after his failed negotiations with unions to prevent strikes.
UK’s Health Crisis Plan
He acknowledged that the emergency care “experience” for some patients and employees in recent weeks has not been “acceptable.” Barclay stated that the recovery of health care may be divided into three groups.
• Acute action to alleviate immediate demands
• A broader strategy to improve summer and fall resiliency
• Acute action to alleviate immediate demands
• A broader strategy to improve summer and fall resiliency
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Block-Book Of Care Home Beds
Barclay stated that the government will block-book thousands of care home beds in England to “free up” hospital capacity, at a cost of £200 million, to alleviate current strains.
Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP, proposed a similar proposal this morning after revealing that hospitals in Scotland are “nearly fully filled.”
Barclay stated that the government will install “modular units” costing £50 million ($60.91 million) to extend available space in A&E to enhance capacity. The health secretary informed MPs that the number of individuals hospitalized with influenza “this time last year” was 50, but “it was over 5,100 this year” as he once again tried to attribute NHS difficulties to influenza, COVID-19, and Strep A.
In the past, health leaders have criticized this government’s position, stating that the “basic problem” is the manpower shortage. There are around 132,000 vacancies in the National Health Service (NHS) and 165,000 in social care, which is almost equal to the population of Newcastle.
Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, referred to the measures proposed today as “sticking plasters” and stated that there have to be more employees in both the health and care sectors, better pay, more training, and more investment in primary care so that individuals have access to GPs.
He stated that “everyone knew” the NHS would be under pressure this winter and that the current arrangements are “just insufficient and too late.”
The announcement comes after Barclay failed to avoid future strikes in the NHS when discussions with union bosses broke down. Despite the prime minister’s statement that he was “ready to speak about pay” – which was viewed as a breakthrough – Unison stated that there were no “concrete concessions” that would permit the cancellation of Wednesday’s ambulance strikes.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stated that governments “had a long way to go” to prevent its second-ever round of strikes on 18 and 19 January, while Unite stated that any idea that a one-time pay award could be provided in exchange for an increase in productivity was “absurd.”
In spite of the negotiations, physiotherapists stated they will announce striking dates later this week.
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