Local NHS leaders will take part in scenario exercises such as staff shortages, rapid increase in demand and multiple virus outbreaks, with teams identifying patients who are most vulnerable to winter viruses and at risk of a hospital admission to provide targeted care and ensure they have the appropriate vaccinations.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘Winter is always tough for the NHS, but this year we're ramping up preparations and doing more to protect the country. From "war game" exercises to extra checks for the most vulnerable, we're making sure the health service is ready for whatever comes its way.'

The plans follow publication of the Urgent and Emergency Care Reform Plan in June, which was backed by £450m of funding.

The programme includes drives to increase vaccination uptake by vulnerable people and staff during September and October and increasing the number of patients receiving care on virtual wards or through Urgent Community Response teams. Over £370m of capital investment is being allocated to deliver around 40 new same day emergency care centres and urgent treatment centres.

Mental health trusts are being asked to identify frequent attenders and high-risk patients to ensure crisis and relapse plans are in place ahead of winter. The NHS is also opening mental health crisis assessment centres and additional mental health inpatient capacity to reduce the number of these patients having to seek treatment in traditional A&Es.

Reaction

Rory Deighton, director of acute and community care at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘While we welcome plans to support leaders to test their winter plans, health service leaders are also acutely aware that pressures across the system would only be worsened by the prospect of renewed industrial action.

‘For the NHS to drive down waiting lists and meet the Government's rightly ambitious elective targets, private capital investment to repair crumbling estates and build new infrastructure is also desperately needed.'

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive, NHS Providers, said: ‘Last winter was brutal for the NHS, one of the toughest that many trust leaders could remember.

‘Demand for urgent and emergency care is already higher this year than last year and to avoid a repeat of last year we need to be much better prepared. 

‘Leaders across hospitals, mental health, community and ambulance services welcome the focus both on "stress testing" plans and on encouraging staff and the public to get vaccinated.'