The NHS and the government have published a new blueprint to help recover urgent and emergency care services, reduce waiting times and improve patient experience. The plan aims to ensure patients have access to the right care, in the right place, in a timely way, with shorter waits in A&E and ambulances reaching people faster.
Capacity will be boosted by around 800 new ambulances and 5,000 new beds as part of the permanent bed base for next winter, backed by a £1bn dedicated fund. Urgent care provided in the community will be expanded to ensure people can get the care they need at home, without the need for a hospital admission. This includes expanding same day emergency centres and scaling up virtual wards to offer treatment for people in their own homes.
The two-year delivery plan for recovery comes amid record demand for NHS services with the latest data showing more A&E attendances than ever before, growing numbers of the most serious ambulance call outs, and millions of NHS 111 calls a month over winter.
The urgent and emergency care programme board in West Yorkshire are currently undertaking a programme refresh which provides an opportunity to realign its priorities to reflect those of the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. The national urgent and emergency care strategy will also contribute to the refresh process.