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The Government is determined to ensure that the NHS is focused on delivering for patients
this winter. The NHS does extensive preparation for winter every year and takes such
preparations very seriously. This year, for example, NHS England has made provision
for winter preparedness funding of £400m, and has launched with Public Health England
a national campaign to help guide patients and the public on how to keep healthy and
safe during the winter season. Flu vaccinations have also begun earlier than in recent
years, with over 5 million jabs having already been administered. As part of this,
for the first time ever, children in year 3 will be offered the flu vaccine – meaning
an additional 600,000 children will be protected this winter, making this the largest
flu vaccination programme to date. The Department of Health is also working with the
NHS and social care leaders to deliver the A&E Improvement Plan and ensure that
appropriate staffing levels are in place throughout the Christmas and New Year periods.
Additionally, the Cold Weather Plan brings together national and local government,
NHS England and the social care system to reduce cold-related harm. The Government
also provides Winter Fuel Payments, Cold Weather Payments and the Warm Home Discount
to help the elderly and vulnerable keep warm over winter. More broadly, as the Chancellor
of the Exchequer outlined at the Autumn Statement, the Government remains committed
to the spending plans for the NHS outlined at the Spending Review 2015. The NHS will
receive £10 billion a year more in government funding by 2020-21 than in 2014-15.
This is a significant investment and will help to ease the pressures on hospitals
and GPs.
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