Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

NHS grapples with opening extra winter beds and addressing staff shortages

NHS Providers chief executive Sir Julian Hartley expressed “palpable frustration” at the Treasury’s reluctance to offer additional funding

NHS grapples with opening extra winter beds and addressing staff shortages

Hospital administrators are issuing warnings about the necessity to curtail plans for additional bed openings due to a lack of funds, particularly for winter preparedness.

NHS Providers, representing managers, conveyed this cautionary message following the Treasury's rejection of a plea for an additional £1 billion to cover strike-related costs.


The organisation also mentioned a pause in workforce recruitment to address staff shortages, the BBC reported.

However, the government asserted that winter planning remains on track, pointing out to the successful establishment of 10,000 "virtual" hospital beds, where doctors monitor patients remotely, and also progress in adding 5,000 new permanent hospital beds, representing a 5% increase in numbers.

A department of health and social care spokesman said, "We recognise the challenges the NHS faces over the coming months, which is why we started preparing for winter earlier than ever.”

NHS Providers have however expressed concerns that the measures being implemented might be inadequate.

Hospital administrators are worried about the potential risk the extra escalation beds face this year. These beds are usually opened temporarily during winter to handle increased demand.

Staff recruitment is also under threat, with one in 10 posts currently vacant.

Additionally, the cost of industrial action to the health service is estimated to have cost £1 billion this year but the Treasury confirmed last week that only an additional £100 million would be allocated to the NHS to cover the cost of strikes.

The NHS has received instructions to find the remaining £900 million by making savings in areas like information technology (IT) and maintenance, and by utilising £200 million from winter funds.

A survey conducted by NHS Providers received responses from just over half of the trusts. Three-quarters of the respondents indicated a deteriorating financial situation compared to the previous year, posing a risk to patients' safety.

NHS Providers chief executive Sir Julian Hartley expressed "palpable frustration" at the Treasury's reluctance to offer additional funding.

He noted that it would be "really difficult" to address the growing number of people waiting for treatment, which the government has identified as a crucial priority.

Figures that were published last week revealed a record 7.8 million individuals on the waiting list.

Sir Julian Hartley conveyed a "sense of dread" regarding the possibility of doctors initiating additional strikes as winter approached. He highlighted that the previous year witnessed record wait times for ambulances and in accident-and-emergency departments.

Preliminary discussions between the British Medical Association and Steve Barclay had commenced before he was succeeded by Victoria Atkins as health secretary on Monday (13).

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less