Davey on strikes: “Government must declare a national emergency and offer flu jabs unconditionally”

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Following news that resident doctors have voted to strike from Wednesday in England, and following surging rates of hospitalisation for flu in recent weeks, the Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to treat the NHS crisis as a national emergency.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has urged the Government to introduce emergency measures, including universal access to NHS flu vaccines in community spaces across England, an appeal for retired doctors to work winter shifts and regular COBRA meetings chaired by the Prime Minister. The party would also provide funding for GPs to stay open longer, 7 days a week in the worst hit areas so fewer people turn to A&E.

Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, said:

“Patients are facing a truly terrible winter crisis, with dangerously overwhelmed A&E departments and ambulances that can’t reach them in time – and this irresponsible decision by the BMA will make it worse. Our NHS now faces a brutal, perfect storm.

"The Government must declare a national emergency, offer flu jabs unconditionally and commit new funding to prevent our NHS being pushed to the point of collapse.

“Anything less would be an act of negligence, and could put patients under threat. I urge Keir Starmer to meet this moment and take the bold steps we need before it’s too late.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The emergency measures would include:

• Flu vaccines to be offered for people unconditionally/of any age, in community spaces across England.
• Regular COBRA chaired by the Prime Minister.
• Calling up pandemic-era volunteers to vaccinate people in village halls, supermarkets, churches, social clubs and other community spaces, along with dedicated roaming “jab vans”.
• ⁠Emergency spending on locum staff for bottlenecks. 
• Appeal to retired doctors to work winter shifts.
• Funding for pharmacies and GPs to stay open longer, 7 days a week in worst hit areas.