NHS still feeling winter pressures

Despite a welcome fall in seasonal viruses, there is no doubt that NHS services are still under immense pressure. It is too early to say whether the worst of winter is now over.

Find out more Arrow pointing right
A floor-level view of a hospital ward.

The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Featured content

Mike Richards and Matthew Taylor
Audio

Can NHS regulation really drive improvement?

Professor Sir Mike Richards and Matthew Taylor discuss rebuilding confidence in regulation and how it can aid improvement in health and social care.

28 January 2026
Sir Ciarán Devane headshot
News

NHS Confederation and NHS Providers announce new chief executive

Sir Ciarán Devane to lead the new membership body.

16 January 2026
The Houses of Parliament.
Briefing

The Mental Health Act 2025: what you need to know

An overview of key changes to the Mental Health Act and the implications for healthcare organisations.

8 January 2026

Latest publications

An NHS sign in a car park.
Consultation response

Advanced Foundation Trust Programme: guide for applicants consultation submission

Joint response with NHS Providers on the eligibility and application process for AFTS and for holding integrated health organisation contracts.

9 January 2026
A patient and community nurse laughing.
Report

Caring together

A shared vision of what is possible today, and what could become possible in future, at the interface between adult social care and the NHS.

18 December 2025
Young person in counselling
Report

Bringing care closer to home

The impact of inappropriate out of area placements on patients, families and the system, with examples of where they are being reduced and avoided.

16 December 2025
See more publications Arrow pointing right

Interested in membership?

Access support that helps you improve population health, deliver high-quality care and reduce health inequalities.

Join today Arrow pointing right

Latest news

A floor-level view of a hospital ward.
News

NHS still feeling winter pressures despite welcome fall in seasonal viruses

There is no doubt that NHS services are still incredibly busy and under immense pressure.

5 February 2026
A pharmacist stacking a shelf.
News

NHS Confederation comments on announcement that costs of UK–US pharma deal will be met by DHSC

Health leaders will be reassured to hear that frontline NHS service budgets will not be raided to fund these higher drug prices.

4 February 2026
Matthew Taylor speaking at ConfedExpo 2025
News

Resident doctors voting for more strikes is 'bitterly disappointing', health leaders say

We cannot let these strikes roll through 2026, using up yet more scarce resources and impeding progress in reducing waiting lists.

3 February 2026
Read all news Arrow pointing right

HealthCommsPlus

A new creative communications agency supporting NHS, public and voluntary sector organisations in the UK.

Get in touch Arrow pointing right

Featured opinion

Amit Patel
NHS Voices

There is no neighbourhood health model without community pharmacy

Pharmacies are vital for the successful implementation of a neighbourhood health service, writes Amit Patel

5 February 2026
Emma Paveley
Confed Viewpoint

We need to bring mental health care closer to home

Sending people away from their families to receive mental health care is wrong for patients and bad for NHS budgets, writes Emma Paveley.

13 January 2026
Richard Kirby
NHS Voices

Keeping the ambition high in neighbourhood health

The ambitions of the neighbourhood health vision must not be diluted by the practicalities of implementation.

22 December 2025
Read all posts Arrow pointing right

Latest videos and podcasts

Decorative graphic
Audio

Population health, prevention and the power of improvement

In the sixth episode of Season Two of our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast, we look at improvement in population health

29 January 2026
Mike Richards and Matthew Taylor
Audio

Can NHS regulation really drive improvement?

Professor Sir Mike Richards and Matthew Taylor discuss rebuilding confidence in regulation and how it can aid improvement in health and social care.

28 January 2026
Penny Pereira, Nick Hulme and Antony Tucker
Audio

How is the NHS coping with this winter’s pressures?

Penny Pereira discusses collaborative improvement, while Nick Hulme and Antony Tucker give insights into this year's winter pressures.

14 January 2026
View more Arrow pointing right

Upcoming events

A graphic of a replay loop on a blue television screen showing static.
Webinar

NICON webinar: Mobilising the neighbourhood model of care for Northern Ireland

Join us to consider how we can all work together to move toward a neighbourhood model of care in Northern Ireland

11 February 2026 14:00 - 15:30 GMT
Care Closer to Home Conference 2026 in London on Tuesday 24 February - book now
Conference

Care Closer to Home Conference 2026

Practical solutions for delivering the government’s ambition to move "care closer to home."

24 February 2026 08:00 - 16:40 GMT
An office worker laughing.
Event

Creating Healthier Working Lives

Join us to explore how the health system can help create healthier working lives – and what’s next to scale progress nationally.

25 February 2026 12:00 - 16:30 GMT
See all events Arrow pointing right

Already a member?

Make the most of your member benefits.

Learn more Arrow pointing right