Responding to NHS England’s announcement of ‘stress test’ exercises to “winter-proof” the health service, Royal College of Emergency Medicine President Dr Ian Higginson said:

“The NHS, and in particular the Emergency Care system, is already stress tested on a daily basis. The results are evident – in all the available data and experiences of our patients and staff.

“It will be interesting to see what these planned tests actually are, what they will measure, and what they will evidence that we don’t know already, but most importantly whether they will actually improve anything.

“The results of the tests must be published, so their effectiveness and impact can be determined and any winter plans amended accordingly before it is too late.

“We and our members are deeply concerned about the overall state of Urgent and Emergency Care as we head into what is looking likely to be another tricky winter.

“We must see a thorough, evidence-based and data-driven plan for the coming months which translates to improvements in our departments and for our patients.

“Without action, not just paper exercises, ill and vulnerable people will continue to be stuck on trolleys in corridors, with all the awful consequences that result.”