Hospitals in England are being hit by a “tidal wave” of flu and different winter viruses, NHS bosses say.
Knowledge launched by NHS England confirmed there have been a median of almost 1,900 beds occupied by flu sufferers final week – up 70% on the week earlier than.
That’s greater than 3 times increased than this time final yr, with docs warning that they’re struggling to include the unfold of the virus inside hospitals in addition to seeing extra sufferers being admitted.
Covid, RSV and the vomiting bug Norovirus are additionally persevering with to trigger issues.
NHS England medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis mentioned: “The tidal wave of flu instances and different seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is absolutely regarding for sufferers and for the NHS – the figures are including to our ‘quad-demic’ worries.
“Whereas the NHS has plans in place to handle further demand over the busy winter interval, with one week left to e-book your vaccine, I can not stress sufficient the significance of getting booked in to guard your self towards critical sickness and to keep away from ‘festive flu.'”
Dr Adrian Boyle, of the Royal School of Emergency Drugs, mentioned the flu vaccination charges have been disappointing this yr, including there was now plenty of unfold taking place inside hospitals.
He mentioned the pressures on A&E and the remainder of the emergency system have been worst than final winter – and could possibly be heading to the degrees seen in 2022-23, which is considered one of many worst winters in era for delays and waits.
Mixed, the winter viruses are taking on round 5% of beds, however Dr Boyle mentioned that was sufficient to trigger “actual issues” as a result of hospitals have been already so busy going into winter with round 95% of beds full, leaving little capability.
“It doesn’t take a lot of a rise. It is an actual battle for the time being. We’re seeing lengthy waits with many hospitals having the equal of a ward of sufferers backed up in A&E as a result of there are not any beds accessible.”
Figures for November present 28% of sufferers waited longer than the goal time of 4 hours in A&E.
At a gathering with well being leaders earlier this week, Well being Secretary Wes Streeting advised hospitals to prioritise security and the very longest waits as an alternative of worrying concerning the goal.
However there was extra constructive information concerning the hospital ready record with figures for October displaying the NHS noticed greater than 2.2 million sufferers beginning therapy, the best on file and after a interval when hospitals have been struggling to extend productiveness.
Streeting mentioned a mix of ending the strikes within the NHS and ramping up the variety of appointments accessible had began to make a distinction with indicators the ready record – at the moment at over 7.5 million – was beginning to fall.
“There is a lengthy technique to go, however we’ll get sufferers seen on time once more.”