3rd Report - Winter pressure in accident and emergency departments

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

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