More than 40 NHS “traffic control centres” have gone live across England with the aim of getting patients into beds more quickly and managing demand. The “winter war rooms” will use data to respond to pressures on the health system, with staff able to divert ambulances away from full hospitals to ones with more capacity.
Data, including A&E performance and waiting times, staffing levels, ambulance response times and bed occupancy, will all be examined by staff, who will include senior medics. The idea is that the 42 centres, which were first announced as part of a wider winter plan in October, will be able to respond quickly to challenges as they emerge.
The centres will run seven days a week and will be fully manned during daytime hours, with on call arrangements overnight.
