Overview
- Throughout September, local NHS systems are running scenario exercises testing staffing shortages, rapid demand spikes and concurrent virus outbreaks.
- NHS England says 2025 is on track to be the busiest winter on record for A&E and ambulance services, underscoring the need for the drills.
- Teams are instructed to identify high‑risk patients for targeted support, including vaccination outreach and easier access to antiviral rescue medicines such as Tamiflu.
- Capacity measures include wider ambulance access to shared care records, expanded virtual wards and Urgent Community Response, and about £370 million to deliver around 40 same day emergency and urgent treatment centres.
- New vaccination drives begin 22 September with further activity in October and expanded staff flu programmes, while emergency medicine leaders press for the stress‑test findings to be published.