Exeter MP welcomes expansion of urgent care to help cut waiting times this winter

An Exeter MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will be boosting urgent care capacity in Exeter ahead of what is predicted to be one of the city’s “most challenging winters”.

This summer marked the busiest in NHS history, with 7.3 million emergency attendances at hospitals across the country between June and August 2026.

This winter is also set to be one of the health services’ “most challenging”, according to Steve Race, MP for Exeter, as seasonal illnesses such as flu and norovirus spread.

To combat this expected pressure, the Government has announced it will open or expand 25 urgent care sites this year. This includes an expansion of the Same Day Emergency Care - or SDEC - unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, which is set to be completed by January 2027.

It is understood that the unit provides emergency care to patients without them first needing to be admitted into hospital. This means patients arriving into the Royal Devon and Exeter’s emergency department, who might ordinarily be waiting hours to be admitted, can instead be assessed, diagnosed, and treated much faster through a referral to SDEC.

The expanded unit is expected to be able to provide a wide range of tests and treatments to a greater number of patients, allowing more people to return home within two to four hours of arrival, according to Mr Race.

“After 14 years of neglect under the Tories, this Labour Government is working hard to rebuild our NHS,” said Mr Race.

“Ambulances are arriving faster, waiting lists are down, new facilities at the Nightingale are speeding up cancer diagnoses, and more evening and weekend appointments mean it's getting easier to see your GP when you need them.

“It's a solid start, but I know there's much more to do. Despite a difficult summer for the NHS, our local hospital waiting lists came down by more than 1000 between July and August this year and, thanks to the roll out of Pharmacy First, it’s easier to be treated quickly for common conditions, too.

“Same Day Emergency Care allows people to receive treatment for urgent but not life-threatening conditions without needing to be admitted to hospital, reducing the pressure on A and E and freeing up beds for critically ill patients.

“I’m pleased that the Government has invested in Exeter so that the Same Day Emergency Care unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter in Wonford can expand in time for this winter, when we know demand for urgent care will be at its peak.”

Mr Race believes the “single best thing” eligible people can do to help relieve winter pressures on the NHS is to get their flu vaccine. If you’re eligible under the NHS, you can book your vaccine online here.