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The NHS is heading towards its “worst winter crisis in history”, according to research by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
Face masks should be reintroduced on public transport and in crowded venues to protect the NHS from Covid-19, a study has found.
The research, undertaken as part of a plan to relieve pressures on the NHS this winter, has also urged the Government to implement mandatory mask wearing at most indoor public venues - and to extend coronavirus and flu vaccinations to all those over the age of 18.
According to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the NHS is heading towards a “perfect storm” and will this winter see both unprecedented demand and reduced capacity, which could combine to create the “worst winter crisis” in the history of the NHS.
This comes as NHS hospitals are experiencing the worst waiting times on record.
The Tony Blair Institute - set up by the Labour prime minister in 2016 - hopes that by introducing a set list of actions outlined in the study, the Government can avoid “disaster” - or at least mitigate the impacts.
The mandate on masks was lifted in the UK in January, though people were advised to continue wearing face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces.
Mask wearing on public transport was first made mandatory in June 2020, but this was after the Government faced much criticism for its delay in recommending face coverings.
In addition to the reintroduction of mask mandates (on public transport and at indoor public venues, excluding hospitality) and the mass distribution of Covid-19 and flu vaccinations, the study has also highlighted ways to improve efficiency within the NHS - and actions needed to maximise capacity.
For the latter, the importance of staff retention has been stressed.
Mandating FFP2/3 face-mask wearing for NHS staff in health-care settings is another action suggested by the study.
Some of the factors which are reportedly contributing to the forthcoming crisis include:
NationalWorld has contacted the Department of Health for comment.
There is concern however over whether the appointment of the new Prime Minister - which will not be announced until 5 September - will leave enough time to prepare for the winter pressures.
Tory leadership candidate Rishi Sunak has pledged to put the country on a “crisis footing” from the first day of taking office, but the Tony Blair Institute is concerned that neither him nor Liz Truss have appropriate plans for the winter.
The study writes: “Neither has set out detailed commitments to address the upcoming challenges the NHS faces, despite Health Secretary Steve Barclay calling for immediate action.”
Upon his appointment as Health Secretary, Mr Barclay said: “This government is investing more than ever before in our NHS and care services to beat the COVID-19 backlogs, recruit 50,000 more nurses, reform social care and ensure patients across the country can access the care they need.”