NHS ‘winter war rooms’ to battle hospital crisis

Battle of Britain-style NHS winter “war rooms” are being set up by London hospitals to deal with a health service crisis set to be worsened by looming strikes.

NHS England describes hospitals as being “full” and says digital hubs inspired by air traffic control towers will use “real-time” data to work around bottlenecks.

Forty-two such centres will monitor A&E performance, waiting times and staff levels to find free beds or divert ambulances to where there’s an available slot.

It comes as the Royal College of Nursing says up to 100,000 nurses will strike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 15 and 20 December. Ambulance unions have also balloted workers over strike action.

Evening Standard health reporter Daniel Keane joins The Leader with the latest on the hospitals crisis and examines what patients can expect into 2023.

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