The Department of Health and Social Care announced on 18 October 2026 that almost £140 million would be invested in 14 urgent care schemes across England, including new urgent treatment centres, same-day emergency care services, ambulance fleets and emergency department upgrades. It said a further 25 new or expanded urgent care sites announced in April were planned to be open for winter.

Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said the NHS had been preparing early after a heavy summer. Dr Emma Rowland, NHS Executive Director for Performance and Delivery, said investment in same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres would help more patients get care in the right place. Both encouraged eligible people to take up flu and other winter vaccinations.

The department said over 7.4 million flu vaccinations had been delivered in England by 11 October, and that eligibility had been expanded to include more vulnerable groups, including people experiencing homelessness. It also cited nearly £2 billion in urgent care capital projects until 2030. Some of the April-announced sites carried expected opening dates of November 2026 to January 2027.