article_snippet: Health officials anticipate that services already under pressure will struggle to keep up with demand this Easter.
article_snippet: NHS England has drawn up emergency plans amid fears casualty departments will be unable to cope with high demand over the four-day break, which starts on April 3, while staff numbers are low.
article_snippet: The warnings come after hospitals suffered one of the worst performances on record over the Christmas holidays.
article_snippet: A memo from Barbara Hawkin, the NHS deputy chief executive, was sent out to all NHS trusts and groups of GPs.
article_snippet: The unprecedented 11-point plan for GPs, hospitals and social services departments said The unprecedented 11-point plan for GPs, hospitals and social services is ‘critical’ organisations have ‘resilience plans’ in order to cope with the mounting pressure.
article_snippet: It means patients who go to A&E in desperation, because patients who go to A&E in desperation are unable to get an appointment with a family doctor, will no longer clog up waiting times for emergency care.
article_snippet: Over Christmas, 13 hospitals declared 'major incidents' when A&E units shut A&E units doors to seriously ill patients.
article_snippet: NHS NHS was plunged into crisis over Christmas when 13 hospitals declared ‘major incidents’ and A&E units shut 13 hospitals to paramedics trying to bring in seriously ill patients.
article_snippet: ’ mean 13 hospitals have put in place emergency measures usually reserved for mass casualties such as those seen after airline crashes or terrorist attacks.
article_snippet: packed like ‘nightclubs’.
article_snippet: It is feared that, with hospitals and GPs already struggling to meet targets, there could be another disastrous waiting time crisis this Easter.
article_snippet: An NHS England spokesman said last night:
article_snippet: ‘While we are pleased to have come through a difficult period, now is a good time to reinforce we message that we are resolved to driving up performance in the coming weeks and throughout the year.
highlights_snippet: Comes in attempt to avert an Easter bank holiday crisis for the NHS .
  
highlights_snippet: NHS England fear A&E departments will struggle over the four-day break .
  
highlights_snippet: Staff numbers are expected to be low during the bank holiday weekend .
  
highlights_snippet: Warnings come after hospitals suffered hospitals worst performances ever over Christmas .