NHS winter pressures Opinion and commentary on the pressures facing England's health and social care services over winter

Many health conditions, including respiratory system diseases such as asthma, can be caused or worsened by cold weather. Together with higher incidences of so-called ‘seasonal illnesses’ including flu and norovirus, this means the NHS often faces much greater pressure in winter, both in the community (including GPs and pharmacy services), and in secondary care in hospitals.
 
We take a closer look at the data, including NHS England's monthly performance statistics and daily sitreps, to examine the latest trends.