NHS alert of ‘tidal wave of flu hitting hospitals’ as winter bites | United Kingdom | News

NHS bosses have sounded the alarm over a “tidal wave of flu hitting hospitals” after admissions soared by 70% in a week.

The health service is calling on everyone eligible for a free vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid a ‘party flu’ and reduce pressure on the struggling NHS.

On average, 1,861 flu patients were hospitalized each day last week, compared to 1,099 the previous week and 3.5 times more than the same period last year.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director of the NHS, said: “The tidal wave of cases of flu and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really worrying for patients and for the NHS – the figures s add to our “quademic” concerns.

“Although the NHS has plans in place to manage the extra demand during the busy winter period, with one week to book your vaccine, I cannot stress enough the importance of booking yourself to protect yourself against serious illness and avoid a “party flu”. ‘”

It takes about two weeks for the full benefits of vaccination to be seen, so people are urged to get vaccinated now, in time to be protected at family gatherings.

Health officials coined the term quaddemic to describe the combined impact of influenza, COVID-19, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus.

Norovirus and RSV are also on the rise: Norovirus cases are up 10% from last week and up nearly two-thirds since (64%) last year.

In England, an average of 837 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients suffering from diarrhea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up from 756 the week before.

And 152 children were hospitalized each day because of RSV, an increase of more than two-fifths compared to the same period last year (107 as of December 10, 2023).

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Since the general election we have worked to secure the two million extra appointments a year, end strikes and invest more in healthcare services. health.

“As a result, the NHS is now delivering record numbers of treatments and waiting lists have started to fall. There is a long way to go, but with our change plan we will get patients seen on time again.

“With emergencies facing record demand, we continue to encourage people to protect themselves, their families and the NHS by getting vaccinated before it is too late. »