Norovirus cases in hospitals are the highest they've ever been at
the start of Spring, according to new NHS data.
In the week ending 23 March, there were 903 hospital patients
with norovirus - nearly
two-thirds (62.3%) higher than the previous record for
cases at this time of year. (Week ending 24 March 2024.)
While this is down from the winter peak of 1,160 seen
in mid-February, figures show that the decline has
slowed.
The number of patients in hospital with the flu have stabilised
around 1,044 – slightly down from 1,174 last week.
Pressure on NHS staff continues, with more than nine in 10 adult
hospital beds occupied (94%) and for 12 weeks running, around one
in seven beds were taken up by patients who no longer needed to
be there (13,388 of 95,295). Over half of those patients have
been in hospital for more than 3 weeks, because of delays
discharging patients to settings like social or community care.
Emergency services continue to respond to persistent high levels
of demand with 96,452 ambulance handovers last week alone, a
slight uptick from the week before (94,755). Thanks to the hard
work of NHS staff, the time ambulances have taken for
handovers beyond 30 minutes has continued to
fall to less than half of what it was in
early January (17,288 hours of handover time over 30
mins, down from 49,002 hours).
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical
Director, said
“While the worst of winter is no doubt over for NHS staff, virus
rates in our hospitals remain stubbornly high and we are still
feeling the pressure – the green shoots of spring for the NHS
aren't showing just yet.
“Hospitals continue to run at near capacity, while the added
pressure from almost one in seven beds taken up by patients who
don't need to be in hospital hasn't relented for 12 weeks and
counting.
“It's vital that the public continue to use 999 and A&E in
life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 – and 111 online –
if you need advice and support for other conditions”
Health and Social Care Secretary, said:
“I would like to thank all NHS staff for their resolve,
dedication, and hard work in the face of everything this winter
has thrown at them.
“As we move into Spring, the pressures that remain on the health
service are a stark reminder that we cannot take our eye off the
ball.
“Now is the time to take stock and learn the lessons from this
winter which, through our upcoming urgent and emergency care
plan, can help shorten waiting times in A&E and reduce
ambulance delays next winter. Through the government's Plan for
Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.”
