Cooper warns of a more challenging NHS winter as £140 million goes into urgent care in England
The money will fund 14 schemes, including urgent treatment centres, same day emergency care, new ambulance fleets and emergency department upgrades. A further 25 new or expanded urgent care sites, announced in April, are set to be ready for winter.
The Government is putting almost £140 million into 14 urgent care schemes across England to increase NHS capacity before winter, the Health Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced on Sunday.
The schemes include new urgent treatment centres, same day emergency care services, new ambulance fleets and upgrades to emergency departments. Alongside them, a further 25 new or expanded urgent care sites, announced in April, are set to be ready for winter, and the Government says the extra services will help patients get care and reduce pressure on A&E.
Ms Cooper said the health service has been preparing since July for the impact of seasonal illnesses such as flu and norovirus, after a summer that placed excess strain on the NHS. Close to 7.3 million people attended A&E between June and August, the highest figure ever recorded for a summer period. “Winter will be more challenging for our NHS this year, after such a heavy summer,” she said. “That’s why we have been preparing early and investing in extra urgent care capacity to help get patients the care they need.”
Winter will be more challenging for our NHS this year, after such a heavy summer.Yvette Cooper, Health and Social Care Secretary, 18 October 2026
Dr Emma Rowland, NHS executive director for performance and delivery, said: “We know this winter will be tough for the NHS and we’re doing everything we can to reduce pressure on our emergency departments and make sure patients get the care they need, while protecting our staff. Investment in same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres will help more patients get the right care in the right place, at the right time.”
The warning follows an earlier alert from the NHS national medical director, Professor Frankie Swords, who said this month that hospitals were showing “ominous” signs of an early flu season, with admissions for the virus the highest she could remember for the time of year. In September, experts warned of a “twin crisis” as the effects of record summer temperatures combine with seasonal winter illnesses.
Dr Rowland also urged the public to make sure they get vaccinated against flu and other winter viruses if they are eligible, saying it helps protect individuals, families, vulnerable people and patients.
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