NHS Bosses Fear ‘The Most Difficult Winter In History'

NHS bosses fear the system won’t cope with the ‘most difficult winter in history’ amid staff shortages and a loss of beds following the pandemic, a new report has said.

- Rebecca Thomas

Hospital executives have also called for “emergency action” from the government to stop social care staff leaving, following concern mandatory vaccines will drive workers into retail jobs.

Out of nearly 200 NHS leaders more than 80 per cent said they are worried there has been “insufficient” funding for social care amid concern shortages in the care sector will make it more difficult to discharge NHS patients.

NHS Providers – which represents all trusts in England and carried out a poll of leaders – urged the government to offer bonuses of up to £500 to social care staff to stop them leaving for Christmas jobs in other sectors.

Last week The Independent revealed care home providers have been forced to refuse NHS discharges amid staffing shortages driven by changes to the law which make it mandatory for care staff to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “The message from trust leaders is loud and clear: judging by the pressure the NHS is currently under, the service is heading for the most difficult winter in its history.