Health leaders have warned that the NHS is facing the same pressure this spring as it would during a “bad winter”. Very high rates of coronavirus infections are having a “major impact” and leading to both more patients and staff absences.
The NHS Confederation urged the government to reconsider its Living with Covid plan as it fears the messaging to the public could “mislead and discourage them to take steps to reduce transmission, contributing to the very high rates of Covid -19.” It said that ministers risk “abandoning” the NHS if they do not take action.
The membership body, which represents healthcare organisations, called for “mitigating actions” to help the NHS which is grappling with 20,000 Covid patients, high rates of staff absences, full hospitals and severe demands on emergency care. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “The brutal reality for staff and patients is that this Easter in the NHS is as bad as any winter.”
