NHS leaders have warned pressure on hospitals is “nowhere near letting up” this winter.
The most recent NHS situation report for this winter shows Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had an average of 756 out of 857 beds occupied (88 per cent) in the week to December 29.
Across England, 89 per cent of available beds were occupied in the most recent week – an improvement on 93 per cent the previous week.
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Despite this, the average number of flu patients in beds each day last week reached 4,469, up 17 per cent from the previous week. Of these patients, 211 were in critical care.
At Northumbria Healthcare, an average of 114 patients had flu in the week to December 29, with two in critical care.
It was a rise from 109 patients the week before.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said the figures “show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the New Year” and cases are “rising at a very concerning rate.”
The data also showed an average of 528 hospital beds in England were filled each day by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms.
Meanwhile, the average number of beds occupied by patients with Covid-19 stood at 1,184.
In Northumbria Healthcare, 14 patients tested positive for Covid-19.
Prof Redhead said: “On top of flu there is also continual pressure from Covid, while RSV and norovirus hospital cases are also higher than last year, with hospitals putting in place an extra 1,300 beds last week than the same time last year in expectation of this continued pressure from viruses and other demand.”
He added those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions should keep warm and make sure their regular medication is stocked during the cold weather.
NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor said: “The NHS has done all it can in advance to mitigate risks to patients this winter, but we should be under no illusions that the service is in a position of national vulnerability as the intense pressures we are now seeing start to grip local services.”
He added the statistics reveal the NHS is facing “huge demand, from sicker patients, with very high levels of flu”.
“The next two to three weeks will likely be the busiest period of the year for many local services and we need to acknowledge the strain that this will place on staff and services,” he said.
The Northumbria Healthcare site has tips on how to look after yourself if you have flu or norovirus. It suggests:
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
- Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains
- If you feel like eating, eat foods that are easy to digest, like soup
- Stay at home if you can
You should contact your GP if:
- Your symptoms last longer than a few days
- You already have a serious illness
To reduce the risk of spreading flu or norovirus:
- Wash your hands often
- Disinfect surfaces and use tissues to catch germs when you cough or sneeze
- Bin used tissues as quickly as possible
Make sure you get your free flu and Covid-19 jabs if eligible. Find out more here.
For more information, go to https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/uec-sitrep/