RCS comment on the government's winter pressures announcement

Commenting on the government’s announcement today on winter pressures funding, Miss Clare Marx, President, Royal College of Surgeons said:

‘The promise of extra funding to assist the NHS to keep services running this winter is welcome news.  Hospitals face increasing pressure from rising demand. We must ensure that there are sufficient appropriately staffed beds to treat the increasing number of patients, many of whom are elderly and will require both medical and increased social care. 

‘For patients waiting for planned operations, it is imperative that we minimise the number of cancelled admissions.  Maintaining the balance between carrying out emergency and routine surgery during winter months is never easy; we need  a sustainable, long-term plan for managing the demand all year round so that we don’t lurch each year from financial restriction to new initiative.

‘The recent publication of NHS England’s Five Years Forward View sets out some important decisions to be made about the future planning of the NHS.  It is encouraging to see that health service leaders have come together this year to look at the scale of the challenge and to ensure that care, both inside and outside hospitals is planned and delivered in a coordinated manner.’

 Notes

1.    The Royal College of Surgeons of England is committed to enabling surgeons to achieve and maintain the highest standards of surgical practice and patient care. Registered charity number: 212808.

• 020 7869 6047/6052
• pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk
• Out-of hours: 07966 486 832