The NHS in England cannot wait for a new prime minister to address the emergency crisis, according to the health secretary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the autumn and winter, hospitals may face “very serious challenges” from flu and another Covid wave, according to Steve Barclay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an interview, he stated that he was preparing for “reasonable worst-case scenarios.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stated that decisions such as hiring foreign workers could not be postponed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Barclay, who took over after Sajid Javid resigned in July, said he has been working to “accelerate contingency plans” and that the Department of Health is in a “real sprint to get ready for September.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Barclay believes that hiring more foreign nurses to assist in social care may relieve pressure on hospital beds by shortening discharge times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since a cap on visa numbers for foreign doctors and nurses was lifted four years ago and a Health and Care Worker visa was created during the pandemic, foreign recruitment has already increased significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, a recent MPs report concluded that the large number of unfilled NHS job vacancies, approximately 110,000 in total, posed a serious risk to patient safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Obviously, those pressures can come in different forms,” Mr Barclay explained. “It could be you get a bad flu, or it could be Covid rates are higher than we would expect or like.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There is a sense of urgency to prepare, especially in areas where there is a long lead time.” The decisions must be made now, rather than in the autumn, when the lead times would put the resolution too late.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A number of major policy decisions have been postponed until the fall, when a new prime minister will be appointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Conservative MPs compete to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, opposition parties have accused ministers of “giving up on governing.”<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The NHS in England cannot wait for a new prime minister to address the emergency crisis, according to the health secretary. In the autumn and winter, hospitals may face “very … <\/p>\n