Planning for winter pressure in A&E departments inquiry

Published 18 July 2017.

The government's response sets out measures to address winter pressures in A&E, remains "absolutely committed" to the four-hour standard, and agrees with some recommendations while giving a different emphasis on others.

• On four-hour performance, it "agrees with the Committee’s conclusion" that timely transfer or discharge contributes to patient safety, and says the A&E plan focuses on a return to the 95% standard.
• On adult social care funding, it "accepts" that funding has an effect on A&E performance and cites £2 billion in extra funding for councils announced at Spring Budget 2017. On an assessment of the impact of social care cuts, it says the Department's focus was on supporting local A&E Delivery Boards.
• On evidence for interventions, it "acknowledge[s] the reservations" raised and says it "will continue to keep the evidence for the initiatives under review", while noting that effectiveness has been demonstrated by "doing".
• It points to £100m of capital investment for front door streaming at A&E departments, announced at Spring Budget 2017, and says it "expect[s] a large number of trusts to benefit".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error