NHS leaders have warned that hospitals are bracing for a so-called “quad-demic” of disease over the winter months, with an increase in cases of flu, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and expected increases in Covid-19.
The number of hospital beds in England occupied by patients with flu has increased by 70% in a week, NHS England said, as it warned of a tidal wave of flu hitting hospitals.
NHS leaders have warned that hospitals are bracing for a so-called “quad-demic” of disease over the winter months, with an increase in cases of flu, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and expected increases in Covid-19.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, 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’.”
An average of 1,861 flu patients were in hospitals in England each day last week, including 66 in critical care beds, NHS figures show.
This is up from 1,099 patients the previous week when 39 were in critical care.
It is also more than four times the figure at this point last year, when the total stood at 402 patients, and higher than at this stage in 2022, when the average was 1,248.
The figures have been published in the latest weekly snapshot of the performance of hospitals in England this winter.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting also urged people eligible for free vaccinations on the NHS to take them “before its too late”.
He said: “Since the general election, we have been ramping up to delivering the extra two million appointments a year, ending the strikes and investing more in the health service.
“As a result, the NHS today is delivering a record number of treatments and waiting lists have begun to fall. There’s a long way to go, but through our plan for change we will get patients seen on time again.
“With A&Es facing record demand, we are continuing to encourage people to protect themselves, their family, and the NHS by getting vaccinated before it’s too late.”
