Commuter rail strike talks resume as London braces for another disrupted week
Unions and operators return to the table after a weekend of cancelled services across the South East.
NHS winter plan leans on community care hubs to ease A&E pressure
Local clinics and pharmacy pathways are being expanded ahead of the colder months.
NHS leaders outlined a winter approach that puts more same-day appointments into community hubs, hoping to keep minor illnesses out of crowded emergency departments.
Staff unions welcomed the intent but said recruitment for evening cover remains difficult in coastal and rural trusts. Patients are being urged to use pharmacy first services where appropriate.
Trusts will publish weekly pressure dashboards through January, including ambulance handover delays and bed occupancy.
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GP appointment backlogs ease in several northern trusts
Same-week slots improve, but evening cover remains patchy for working carers.