RCS President joins NHS England panel to respond to winter pressures
12 Oct 2017
Royal College of Surgeons President, Professor Derek Alderson has been appointed to a new panel set up by NHS England, Public Health England, the Department of Health and NHS Improvement, to respond to pressures on the NHS this winter.
The new National Emergency Pressure Panel will provide independent clinical advice on system risk, and the appropriate regional and national response to winter pressures.
The Panel is one of several measures unveiled today to respond to winter pressures, which also included the provision of free flu vaccinations for care home staff and an increase in flu vaccine provision for children and vulnerable people.
A spokesperson from the Royal College of Surgeons said:
“The NHS is already facing severe pressure and as winter sets in this is likely to escalate. The Royal College of Surgeons welcomes the establishment of the National Emergency Pressure Panel. It will ensure that those on the frontline are heard and we hope that it will allow the NHS to respond more quickly to pressure points.
“Prevention is always better than cure. As such, we also welcome the provision of free flu vaccines for those most vulnerable. We urge all those who are eligible, particularly NHS staff, to be vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.
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