The government will invest £140 million in 14 new urgent care schemes across England, as the NHS braces for winter months following a busy summer.
The funds will be used to improve the functioning of urgent treatment centres (UTCs), same day emergency care services (SDECs), new ambulance fleets, and emergency department.
The 25 new or expanded urgent care sites announced in April will be open for winter, providing additional frontline capacity.
With seasonal illnesses, including flu and norovirus, adding to the heavy workload over winter, the NHS has been preparing since July to meet patients’ needs and protect patient safety.
According to a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), flu activity in September was higher than in the same period over the last four years.
The government is also expanding the Pharmacy First scheme to help people get support with a wider range of common conditions at their local pharmacy, and enhanced GP access through evening, weekend and out-of-hours appointments during the colder months.
The government is also intensifying it drive for flu vaccinations by including more community pharmacies, and offering free jabs to tens of thousands of people experiencing homelessness.
The NHS is also rolling out digital tools to simplify the booking process for parents, schools and vaccination teams.
Over 7.4 million flu vaccinations had been delivered in England by 11 October. So far, more children have been vaccinated this year than last.
The government is totally investing almost £2 billion in urgent care capital projects until 2030, to improve facilities and ensure people can get care closer to home.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Winter will be more challenging for our NHS this year, after such a heavy summer. That’s why we have been preparing early and investing in extra urgent care capacity to help get patients the care they need."
NHS Executive Director for Performance and Delivery Dr Emma Rowland said: "Investment in same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres will help more patients get the right care in the right place, at the right time."
Welcoming the investment, NHS Alliance Chief Executive Sir Ciarán Devane said: "With demand on NHS services remaining high, the priority needs to be easing pressure on hospitals, improving patient flow and supporting more people to receive care closer to home or return home sooner.”
