A challenging winter lies ahead of us

Those of you who have worked in the NHS for any length of time will be familiar with the well-used phrase ‘winter pressures’. We know that winter brings added use of NHS services. From seasonal flu to winter vomiting virus and the often increased demands for people with long term conditions, the approaching season heralds challenges for all staff and patients. But this winter the NHS commentators and media are warning us may be even worse than usual. The BBC journalist and health correspondent Nick Triggle has written a piece on why the NHS is struggling like never before. The article covers many areas, some of which as health professionals we know all too well, but some facts and figures make stark reading (Triggle, 2021).

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the care and support of those with chronic and long term conditions receive hard. This disrupted ongoing care and management alongside the isolation and reduced activity mean many have seen a deterioration in their conditions. These patients are often elderly and frail and are now needing hospital intervention in larger numbers.