Health and care sector latest developments
NHS maintains services despite Christmas strikes
Despite five days of resident doctor strike action, the NHS discharged thousands of patients in time for Christmas, with hospital bed occupancy falling to 78.5 per cent and more than 5,000 fewer patients in hospital compared with last year.
Nearly 95 per cent of planned care continued during the strikes, even as absences among resident doctors increased and demand surged due to cold weather and a spike in NHS 111 calls.
Health secretary Wes Streeting praised staff who ‘worked tirelessly’, however, warned that ‘there is still a long way to go’ and that he is ‘determined to resolve the BMA resident doctor disputes this year’ to improve conditions, cut waiting lists, and build ‘an NHS fit for the future’.
Rory Deighton responded stating:
“…Despite the costs and the extra work involved in terms of planning for and managing industrial action, it's reassuring that the NHS has weathered the storm of these walk-outs. While thousands of tests, appointments and operations were cancelled, the NHS managed to keep the majority of services running. NHS leaders and their teams should also be praised for managing to get so many patients home for Christmas despite the early surge in flu cases.
“But the NHS is not out of the woods yet and the impact of these strikes will continue to be felt well into the new year. Appointments and operations will need to be rebooked and staff who filled rota gaps will need time off, while the pressure from flu and other winter viruses is likely to continue.
“This industrial action must not continue into 2026 using up scarce resources and impeding the progress needed to make inroads into reducing NHS waiting lists. The government and BMA must resume talks as soon as possible - through mediation if needed - and find a long-term solution to bring this to an end.”
Junk food TV and online advert ban comes into force
Junk food adverts are banned on television and online starting today (Monday 5 January) as part of a drive to tackle childhood obesity.
The UK-wide ban stops food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) being advertised on TV before 9pm and at any time online.
It applies to products considered to be the biggest drivers of childhood obesity, including soft drinks, chocolates and sweets, pizzas and ice creams.
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said it is committed to helping people eat healthily and has been voluntarily abiding by the new restrictions since October.
As well as more obviously unhealthy foods, the ban also covers some breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, and main meals and sandwiches.
Decisions over which products fall under the ban are based on a scoring tool, balancing their nutrient levels against whether they are high in saturated fat, salt, or sugar.
Flu cases fall amid cold snap warnings
Flu cases in English hospitals have fallen, amid warnings that the ongoing cold snap could increase pressure on the health service.
As the BBC reports, there were 2,676 people in hospital with flu last week, down from over 3,000 the week prior with Rory Deighton responding stating “The continued fall in flu levels is welcome after the very early sharp spike in cases, as is the drop in delayed discharges. …Demand for NHS care remains high, with 24,000 more calls to 111 than the previous week…”
Despite this, the UKHSA has issued cold health alerts across the country due to the weather, leading to expected increases in demand for NHS services, alongside potential staffing issues due to travel delays.
The health secretary highlighted that hospital bed occupancy and ambulance delays are lower than they were this time a year ago but encouraged ‘those eligible [to] get their flu jab and people only attend A&E in an emergency.’
Maternity inquiry trust announces new CEO
A trust chief executive is moving from Cornwall to lead an acute provider in the north west.
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Foundation Trust has announced Steve Williamson will join the trust in April as CEO after serving his notice period at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.
The move follows UHMBFT’s previous substantive chief executive Aaron Cummins being appointed CEO of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board in November. The trust’s chief operating officer Scott McLean had been acting as interim CEO.
Starmer puts cost of living at centre of new year pitch to voters
The government has announced plans to create thousands of new jobs through AI-linked investment, as part of a new year pitch to voters.
PA Media reports that several areas, including Wales, Bristol, and London are set to benefit from new AI growth zones that will help unlock economic growth.
The Prime Minister wrote in the Times that 2026 was the year people ‘will start to feel richer’. This comes amid mounting pressure on his leadership and speculation as to how long he will survive.
Sir Keir has emphasised the cost of living and need for time to deliver improvements, acknowledging that ‘people are frustrated’ at the pace of change. He also pointed to policies such as reducing the cost of energy bills and freezing regulated rail fares as evidence of how his government was addressing the cost of living.
