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Matthew Taylor responds to the announcement of £700 million to support the NHS this winter.Responding to the announcement of £700 million to support the NHS this winter,

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“This is much-needed funding, which is part of the previously agreed health budget and is a result of NHS organisations making thorough plans to spend it well. Health leaders will use it to help to secure care over what promises to be a difficult winter.

“Our members – who plan, commission and provider services – are already doing everything they can to meet the needs of patients, including working in new and innovative ways. The funding announced by the Health Secretary will help them do more, including investing in new and refurbished facilities and digital improvements.

“While this investment is important, the challenges facing the health services over the coming months will be intense, particularly with the unknowns around the omicron variant and the enormous commitments of the booster campaign. NHS leaders are eagerly waiting the national guidance on how their teams will be expected to support the booster programme this winter.

“We are also acutely aware that without proper investment in social care to support people in their own homes and in their own communities, NHS leaders will be tackling COVID-19, the elective backlog, and workforce exhaustion with one hand tied behind their backs.” 

£700 million to support NHS this winter