NHS fears of a potential ‘quad-demic' are rising with a 350%
increase in flu cases and an 86% rise in norovirus cases in
hospital compared to same week last year – alongside concerns
about rising covid and RSV levels in hospitals.
New weekly figures published
today for the first time this year, show the NHS is going into
winter under more pressure than ever before with an average of
1,099 people in hospital with flu every day last week compared to
243 in the same week last year – the highest number of cases
heading into winter for at least three years.
Efforts of NHS staff mean more than 27 million vaccinations have
already been carried out for flu, covid and RSV but the NHS is
urging eligible people to get jabbed without delay as virus
levels rise. NHS staff are also being urged to get
their jabs to protect themselves and those around them.
There was an average of 1,390 patients with covid in hospital
beds each day last week, and 142 children in hospital each day
with RSV, along with 756 patients with norovirus – an 86%
increase from a year ago.
Record numbers of patients are in hospital for this time of year,
with an average of 96,587 hospital beds occupied each day – more
than at this point in any other year – with pressure expected to
increase further in the coming weeks.
Pressure on ambulance services is incredibly high, with thousands
more patients arriving via ambulance (up from 83,873 to 90,514),
and 35,022 hours lost to handover delays, up 87% from 18,703 this
time last year.
There were 413,426 calls to NHS 111 last week – with 73.1%
answered within a minute, up 4.4% up on last year.
Problems discharging patients who no longer need to be in
continue to have an impact on capacity, with an average of 11,969
beds each day last week occupied by patients who were ready for
discharge, taking up one in eight of all occupied adult general
and acute beds (96,587).
The NHS has put measures in place to manage extra demand during
winter, which include upgrading 24-hour live data centres,
strengthening same day emergency care and offering more falls
services for older people.
NHS national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen
Powis, said:
“The NHS is busier than it has ever been before heading into
winter, with flu and norovirus numbers in hospital rising sharply
- and we are still only at the start of December, so we expect
pressure to increase and there is a long winter ahead of us.
“For a while there have been warnings of a ‘tripledemic' of
Covid, flu and RSV this winter, but with rising cases of
norovirus this could fast become a ‘quad-demic' so it's important
that if you haven't had your covid or flu jab to follow the lead
of millions of others and come forward and get protected as soon
as possible.
“Ambulances are also facing huge demand, with thousands of extra
patients and other pressures having an impact on handover delays,
which is why our robust plans, including services like urgent
treatment centres and same day emergency care are so important
this winter.
“As always, the public have an important part to play in helping
NHS staff over winter by, as ever, calling 999 in an emergency
and using the NHS 111 service through the NHS App, online or
phone, for advice on how to access the right support for
non-emergency health needs.”
In September, an independent review by Lord Darzi warned years of
underinvestment has left the NHS with an ageing estate and
outdated tech, making it harder for staff to deliver the best
possible care.
The Government and NHS are now engaging the public, patients and
staff in the biggest ever conversation about the health service.
More than 1.1m separate visits have been made to Change.nhs.uk,
with almost 9,000 ideas now live as part of the 10 Year Health
Plan, which aims to deliver an NHS fit for the future.
Health and Social Care Secretary said: “We inherited an NHS that is broken
but not beaten, and staff are already working hard to tackle an
increase in admissions this winter.
“We're backing them with an extra £26billion secured in the
recent Budget and we've already resolved the industrial action to
ensure A&Es will be strike-free for the first time in three
years.
“For too long, an annual winter crisis has become the norm. We
will deliver long term reforms through our 10 Year Health Plan
that will create a health service that will be there for all of
us all year round.
“I'd also encourage anyone who is eligible to join the over 27
million people who have already come forward for their flu, RSV
and Covid jabs – it's the best way to protect yourself this
winter.”
The weekly situation report publications can be found here:
Statistics » Urgent and
Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports 2024-25
