16 July 2021
Commenting on the publication of Covid-19: Preparing for the Future Looking ahead to winter 2021/22 and beyond by the Academy of Medical Sciences, Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said:
“The report by the Academy of Medical Sciences is stark reading. We are deeply concerned about the approaching winter, the threats it may bring, and how the NHS and all health and care workers will cope with a further rise in pressures.
“As cited in the report (p. 63) the College warned in April 2021 in our campaign Summer to Recover of the threats this Winter might bring and a series of actions and recommendations governments, NHS Trusts and Boards, and ED Leadership Teams can take to prepare Emergency Departments.
“We support the priorities and necessary measures that the Academy have proposed, and we emphasise the urgent need to safely expand capacity while maintaining essential infection prevention control measures.
“Hospitals and Emergency Departments are already facing severe pressures, and winter is a looming crisis, we must do all we can to prepare now.”
