GPs and ambulance trusts must do more to combat winter pressures, insists NHS England

Primary and community care will be expected to play a much bigger role in helping the NHS deal with winter pressures this year, NHS England has told the service.

NHSE has also issued a specific set of measures that ambulance trusts must undertake as part of the service’s winter response for the first time.

The 2026-27 winter planning guidance  instructs integrated care boards to ensure GPs have enough capacity to meet demand, including during “surge periods”, and to check they are contractually compliant in their ability to offer online consultations, same-day appointments, and NHS 111 direct booking. 

Read full article (paywalled).

Source: Health Service Journal, 28 July 2026