UK Health Secretary Urges NHS to Prioritize Patient Safety During Winter Crisis

Wes Streeting calls for action as flu cases surge and hospitals face critical strain from multiple winter viruses.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting held an emergency meeting with NHS leaders to address escalating pressures on urgent and emergency care services.
Rising cases of flu, COVID-19, norovirus, and RSV are straining hospital capacity, with flu admissions already four times higher than last year.
Streeting emphasized reducing ambulance delays, improving A&E response times, and addressing the longest patient waits as key priorities over meeting performance targets.
Officials urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated against flu and other winter viruses, warning of increased hospitalizations and potential deaths over the holiday season.
NHS leaders highlighted unprecedented demand on services and called for collaboration between healthcare and social care providers to manage patient flow and prioritize urgent needs.