Five things that need to happen to save the NHS

Despite an increase in the number of adults receiving the flu vaccine, hospital admissions for older adults due to flu symptoms have surged by 900 per cent since mid-November, according to our latest analysis.

Similarly, two-fifths of patients in London have experienced delayed hospital discharge over the last six months and this is only expected to continue.

We urgently need a review on Government funding and a plan to revolutionise technology within the NHS

It’s concerning to see the number of patients across the UK being impacted by the current pressures facing the NHS – especially older adults and those more vulnerable.

NHS staff are also experiencing new pressures as workloads increase, with monthly A&E admissions rising by six per cent since April 2022.

Similarly, many workers are facing health concerns of their own, with more than one in six NHS staff taking sickness leave from work in the last year.

While the Government are progressing plans to block-book 2,500 beds in residential care homes, to help alleviate some of the pressure the NHS is currently facing – this is just the starting point in aligning social care and national health services.

With reduced funding for 2023, the Government, alongside with healthcare leaders, must evaluate the spending of public health services to address the underlying issues impacting the country’s healthcare system.

From investing in technology to streamline processes, improve treatment and reduce workloads, to providing greater support to those working on the front line.

The NHS is in desperate need of transformation to create a sustainable and efficient healthcare system.

Here’s exactly what’s needed for the NHS;

• investment in new technologies
• empower the NHS workforce
• improved access to a high quality of social care
• address staffing shortages
• transparency in healthcare spending

Chris Donnelly
Social care advocate and Co-Founder of later living platform Lottie.