Flu season arrived early in the UK this year, fuelling concerns that the NHS would face unprecedented strain over the winter months. Coupled with junior doctor strikes in the run up to Christmas, many feared the system could be pushed to breaking point. 

Yet, so far at least, the NHS has managed to stay afloat. 

In this episode of Health on the Line, Matthew Taylor is joined by Nick Hulme, the departing chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, to explore how the service is really coping this winter. With 46 years of experience in the NHS, from starting out as an A&E porter to leading hospital trusts, Hulme offers a rare perspective on what’s working, what’s changed and where the biggest challenges remain. 

Hulme reflects on the unexpected impact of junior doctor strikes, describing how they acted as a “firebreak” before Christmas, with consultants on duty able to discharge patients more quickly and reduce admissions at the front door. He also urges national leaders to ease off constant structural reform, arguing instead for giving trusts the space to implement what evidence already shows works. 

We also hear from Antony Tucker, NHS Confederation’s policy advisor for out-of-hospital care, who shares insights from ambulance service leaders on how they’ve coped so far this winter. 

Penny Pereira, director of Q community, also joins the conversation to discuss how collaborative improvement across the NHS is evolving as Q community finds a new home at the NHS Confederation. 

Health on the Line is the NHS Confederation podcast, produced by HealthCommsPlus. 

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