The NHS in South London has activated a major incident response as it battles a perfect storm of winter pressures, including soaring flu cases, staff shortages, and rising COVID admissions. In a novel approach to the crisis, NHS England has deployed a specialised national team of 'people experts' to the region to provide immediate support.
This elite squad, comprised of human resources and operational flow specialists, has been tasked with a critical mission: to keep hospitals running smoothly and ensure patients receive safe, timely care amidst the chaos. Their focus is on bolstering the resilience of frontline staff who are facing immense pressure.
Inside the Strategy: How the 'People Experts' Are Helping
The team's intervention is multi-faceted, targeting the most acute pressure points within the system:
- Optimising Patient Flow: Working to swiftly discharge patients who are medically fit to leave, freeing up desperately needed beds for those requiring urgent admission.
- Staff Welfare and Support: Implementing measures to support the wellbeing of NHS employees, who are grappling with exhaustion and burnout.
- Operational Coordination: Enhancing coordination between different services, including ambulances, A&E departments, and social care, to prevent bottlenecks.
The situation is particularly severe in children's emergency departments, which are experiencing an unusually high and early surge in respiratory illnesses.
A System Under Strain
This intervention underscores the severe strain on the NHS across England. Hospitals are operating at near-full capacity, with ambulance handover delays becoming commonplace. The major incident declaration allows for a coordinated, system-wide response, prioritising resources to where they are needed most.
While the move is a clear sign of an NHS in crisis, it also highlights a proactive attempt to manage the situation with specialised, targeted support rather than relying on traditional methods alone. The effectiveness of this 'people expert' team will be closely watched as a potential model for managing future extreme pressures on the health service.
