Brits have seen the winter flu season start earlier and an NHS director has said that we could be facing one of the worst ever which is putting a major strain on services
The UK could be facing its worst ever winter flu season which is putting a major strain on the NHS, said a health chief.
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 place pressure on services.
“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,” he said. “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.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank NHS staff – despite huge demand, they continue to work tirelessly to keep patients safe and provide them with the best possible care. And secondly, I would like to remind the public that community services like GPs and pharmacies are open as usual for help and advice today and on Thursday and Friday.
“Anyone who needs medical support should continue to use services as normal – 999 and A&E only in an emergency, and for other urgent health needs, use NHS 111 or 111 online.”
It comes as ambulance bosses 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.
And Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust in the West Midlands declared a critical incident due to increased numbers of patients seeking hospital care for respiratory illnesses.
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.”
On Monday, the Welsh Ambulance Service also declared a critical incident and elsewhere, East Midlands Ambulance Service urged people to only call 999 if there is a life-threatening emergency. It is currently operating at level four – the highest level – of its resource escalation action plan, which indicates the amount of pressure the service is under. Level four translates to severe pressure, with the potential risk of the service breaking down.
