Warning issued over ‘festive flu’ by NHS with hospital cases on the rise

The boss of NHS England has urged Brits to get vaccinated before Christmas with cases of ‘festive flu’ on the rise.

Cases of Flu, norovirus (the winter vomiting bug) and RSV (a common cold and cough) have significantly risen in the UK this winter.

An average of 1,861 patients with flu were in hospital every day last week, increasing from 1,099 the previous week and 402 this time last year.

Following such a steep rise in illness as we approach the festive season, health bosses have warned that hospital are facing a ‘quad-demic’ with warnings even issued over a ‘tidal wave.’

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, said: ‘The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and for the NHS – the figures are adding to our ‘quad-demic’ worries.

‘While the NHS has plans in place to manage additional demand over the busy winter period, with one week left to book your vaccine, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting booked in to protect yourself against serious illness and to avoid festive flu.’

Flu cases are particularly high amongst children aged between five and 12 at the moment, according to the UK Health Security Agency, with adult cases expected to rise in due course.

In more worrying statistics, the NHS situation report shows that 35.8% of patients arriving by ambulance to English hospitals last week waited at least 30 minutes for attention.

16.3% of ambulance handovers last week, which amounts to some 14,672 patients, experienced delays of more than an hour.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘plan for change’ pledges that by July 2029, 92% of patients will be seen within 18 weeks for pre-planned care such as hip and knee replacements.

Leading surgeons have called on the Government to provide more details about how they are going to execute their plans though.

Professor Frank Smith, vice president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: ‘Winter is always a difficult time for the NHS and hospital leaders are already warning this could be one of the worst the NHS has faced. This will have a knock-on effect for planned operations.

‘While waiting lists are reducing, they are not coming down fast enough to guarantee the Government will meet its milestone on the 18-week target within this Parliament. We need a clear road map, which outlines annual targets for reducing waits of over a year and the total waiting list.’

How to get a flu vaccine

The NHS offers vaccines to those who are eligible, with Brits urged to get vaccinated a soon as possible.

Certain people, such as over-65s, pregnant women and those with certain health conditions, are able to get a jab at a pharmacy.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged Brits to ‘protect themselves, their family, and the NHS by getting vaccinated before it’s too late.’

November was the busiest month on record for A&Es in England.

A reported 2.31 million people had to attend A&E last month.

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