Hospitals in England are “on high alert” this week, amid
industrial action and a continuing stream of winter viruses.
Flu cases in hospital reached 3,140 by the end of last week - the
highest ever for this time of year and up 18% on the week before.
While the number of patients in hospital with norovirus and the
diarrhoea and vomiting bug is also on the rise, with 427
cases in hospital each day last week – up a fifth (20%) on the
week before.
There are welcome signs that the rise in flu cases in hospital is
slowing, particularly in the North West where hospital cases fell
by 4% over the past week.
This slowing is thought to be due to higher vaccination rates and
the public taking additional steps to protect elderly and
vulnerable people.
More than 18m people have now had a flu vaccine, 306,000 more
than the same week last year.
But England's top doctor has warned services are ‘not out of the
woods yet'.
Flu cases continue to rise in other parts of England, with
patients in hospital up 39% in the East of England and 40% in the
South West.
The high levels of respiratory viruses in hospital have seen beds
fill up quickly, with 94.2% occupied each day last week on
average
Staff absence is also up over 1,100 in a week, and up 4,500 or 9%
on the same week two years ago.
Despite the pressure, average ambulance handover times were
almost eight minutes quicker than the same week last year.
The NHS is urging patients not to put off coming forward for care
during the industrial action.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National
Medical Director said:
“While some parts of the country will be breathing a sigh of
relief with flu cases not rising as quickly as feared, we are
nowhere near out of the woods yet.
“Combined with the impact of strikes, a stream of winter viruses
means many hospitals will be on high alert in the days ahead.
“But it remains vital that people continue to come forward for
NHS care as normal.
“If you need urgent help, dial 999 in an emergency, or use NHS
111 for other care needs.
“And if you are eligible, please come forward for a jab, it's not
too late.”
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“Flu continues to put significant strain on the NHS, with record
numbers of patients in hospital, and frontline services remaining
under enormous pressure. I'm appealing to the public to protect
yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu jab.
"I want to thank NHS staff who are going above and beyond at the
toughest time of year. Thanks to their hard work and careful
planning, ambulance handovers are around eight minutes quicker
than this time last year.
"The BMA's regrettable decision to pursue strike action at this
critical moment is piling on the pressure, but the NHS team has
responded brilliantly to keep the show on the road. Our entire
focus is on keeping patients safe through the strikes and this
peak period for the NHS."
