Hospitals managing record flu levels going into Winter
NHS England have warned that the health service is bracing for a potential 'quad-demic' this Winter (caused by increasing cases of flu, norovirus, COVID and RSV).
There has been a 350% increase in flu cases compared to the last week of November last year and an 86% increase in norovirus cases. These increases have led to a higher level of hospital bed occupancy - on average 96,587 hospital beds were occupied each day last week, more than at this point in any other year.
Pressures on ambulance services is high, with thousands more patients arriving via ambulance (up from 83,873 last year to 90,514 this year). There has also been an 87% increase in ambulance handover delays since this time last year.
Measures have been put in place to manage extra demand this winter including upgrading 24 hour live data centres, strengthening same day emergency care services and offering more falls prevention services for older people, but NHS leaders are also urging those eligible to get their COVID and RSV vaccinations to protect themselves and those around them.
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
