Health

Flu and norovirus warning as NHS sees one million more patients in A&E than same time last year


AN outbreak of flu and norovirus has left one million more patients in A&E than this time last year, new NHS figures show.

Both winter viruses have hit Brits early this year putting added pressure on the health service.

 An outbreak of flu and norovirus has left one million more patients in A&E than this time last year, new figures show

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An outbreak of flu and norovirus has left one million more patients in A&E than this time last year, new figures showCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The number of ambulance delays exceeding an hour have almost tripled in a year, from 1,491 in 2018 to 4,469 in the week up to December 15.

Attendances at A&E have risen compared to last year, to just under 100,000 in the same week, and increasing numbers of patients are staying in beds for a week or longer.

At the same time, 892 beds were closed due to norovirus – almost double the number this time last year.

Early hit

An NHS England spokesperson said: “Hospitals now have more beds open than this time last year, but flu and norovirus have kicked in a bit earlier so are adding pressure at a time when the NHS is already looking after significantly more people than ever before.

“The NHS has already looked after a million more people in A&E this year compared to last.

“As we head into the holiday period it’s really important that the public help our hardworking staff by getting their flu vaccine now, using the free NHS 111 phone and online service for urgent medical needs, seeing their local pharmacist for minor ailments and ensuring they are stocked up on the medication they need.”

Extra funding

Earlier today, the Queen’s Speech set out how legislation will ensure the health service receives an extra £33.9 billion per year provided by 2023/24.

The NHS Funding Bill will be the first piece of domestic legislation put on the statute book after the proposed passing of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill which the PM insists will lead to the UK quitting the EU on January 31.

Dr Nick Scriven, for the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The NHS is under the most pressure it has ever seen and quite how we will get through the next few weeks and months remains to be seen.

“We need to urgently support our staff throughout the NHS as they are reaching the stage of utter exhaustion after more than two years of unrelenting and increasing stress and workload.

The NHS is under the most pressure it has ever seen and quite how we will get through the next few weeks and months remains to be seen

Dr Nick ScrivenSociety for Acute Medicine

“Promises or commitments of investment today will not make up for years in a matter of months, which is what would be needed to get us through the winter period safely. It is the bare minimum.

“The best option for those in central positions now would be to engage with staff who actually work on the frontline up and down the country to put out realistic messages of how things are and focus on what can make an immediate impact.”

How to protect yourself from catching winter bugs like flu and norovirus

Apart from having a flu jab, good hand hygiene is the main way to prevent flu and other viruses such as sickness and diarrhoea from spreading.

Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria and stops them passing to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as colds, flu, food poisoning or norovirus.

You should wash your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice (around 20 seconds).

If you do not have immediate access to soap and water then use alcohol-based handrub if available.

You should wash your hands:

  • after using the toilet or changing a nappy
  • before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
  • before eating or handling food
  • after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
  • before and after treating a cut or wound
  • after touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, said: “The NHS is grateful to the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister for their continued commitment to the NHS and we share their ambition for a transformed service by 2030.

“But we need to be honest about the state of things now, which is not all bad, but also not all good. Importantly, we need to acknowledge that it will take time to turns things around.

“Many of the answers lie in training and recruiting more staff, developing new services in the community, and joining up different parts of the system. None of these can be conjured up overnight.

“For now, most of our members fear this could be the worst winter on record and it does seem likely that things will get tougher for staff and for patients over the next few weeks.

“Most people are very understanding as staff have to give priority to the most acutely ill, and we should thank them for their patience – in the coming period, we will also need that same quality from our politicians.”

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