David Oliver: Could separating NHS “hot” and “cold” inpatient sites work?

Is it realistic to think of separating NHS hospital sites more effectively for “cold” (elective) and “hot” (acute urgent) care, so that outbreaks or seasonal surges don’t lead elective care being cancelled delayed? This month over five million people were waiting planned surgery, procedures, tests, outpatient appointments in England—the highest figure on record.1 The Times reported “NHS chiefs are braced nine patients lists by the end year while Sajid Javid, health secretary, has warned could go as high 13 million.”2 After previous successful drives government leaders tackle lists, times had been deteriorating years before pandemic because workforce pressures, financial constraints, insufficient beds, clinics, investigation suites, diagnostic services such imaging.3 massively accelerated worsening …