Ambulances packed the emergency department car park at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester on the first day of 2025 with the peak of the flu season yet to come.
Meanwhile, the country continues to feel the effects of a so-called ‘quademic’ of illnesses, including flu and Covid-19.
The waiting room at Worcester emergency department was also busy with many seats full of patients.
Leaders at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which also manages the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre, ask patients not to be accompanied by more than one person to prevent the spread of flu.
BUSY: The main entrance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest photos)
A spokesperson for Worcestershire Royal Hospital said: “We may restrict visiting to wards due to outbreaks of flu, COVID and RSV. Please check with the ward before you visit.
“Our emergency departments are currently very busy. For that reason, and to further prevent the further spread of flu, we can only permit patients to be accompanied by one person in all areas of the emergency department.
“Separate visiting guidance remains in place in paediatrics, maternity, oncology and Haematology, critical care and high dependency units so please check with the staff in these areas before you visit.”
Ambulance chiefs have urged people to only call 999 in the case of an emergency to help reduce pressure on services across the UK.
The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) said teams are “under severe pressure” due to the time of year and high levels of Covid-19, norovirus and flu.
It comes as Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust in the West Midlands declared a critical incident due to increased numbers of patients seeking hospital care for respiratory illnesses.
England’s top doctor said this flu season has the potential to be the worst ever experienced and warned the peak is yet to come.
Anna Parry, managing director of the AACE, said: “All UK ambulance services are under severe pressure due to the winter period, and associated high levels of demand because of viruses such as Covid, flu and norovirus.
“We are asking the public to help us by only calling 999 in an emergency, using 111 for non-emergency health needs, and doing their best to be respectful to our people who are working hard to treat as many patients as possible at this busy time of year.”
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A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman encouraged revellers to welcome 2025 “in a safe manner”.
“We encourage everyone to enjoy their evening safely, drink sensibly and make sure you wake up remembering the night before for all the right reasons,” they added.
Meanwhile, NHS England’s national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said the “quad-demic” of flu, Covid-19, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is continuing to put pressure on services.
He said: “The winter flu season has not only hit the NHS early this year, but it is potentially on track to be one of the worst we have ever seen, as the ‘quad-demic’ continues to increase pressure across services.
“Frontline NHS staff are currently under significant pressure – and as families and friends have gathered over the festive period and to celebrate the new year, we expect the peak of seasonal viruses is yet to come.”