- By Shivangi Sharma
- Fri, 03 Jan 2025 06:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
England's National Health Service (NHS) issued a stark warning on Friday, January 3, about the alarming rise in flu cases, particularly in hospitals. According to the latest data, there were 5,000 patients hospitalised with the flu at the end of the previous week, nearly 3.5 times more than the same period in 2023. While this figure is still lower than the record highs of 2022, the sharp increase in flu cases has raised concerns about the strain it is putting on the healthcare system.
Emergency doctors have expressed deep concerns, with some stating that the pressure on hospitals is "unacceptably awful". NHS representatives have warned that the situation could worsen in the coming weeks, as the flu season is still in full swing.
NHS chiefs have added extra support for frequent emergency service users and increased care outside hospitals. However, NHS Confederation CEO Matthew Taylor warned that despite efforts, the service remains vulnerable due to intense pressures. Recent figures show over 12,000 patients waited in ambulances for more than an hour for care, as reported by BBC.
Dr Adrian Boyle, head of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, highlighted the strain on emergency departments, with ambulances often stuck outside. He criticised the chronic lack of hospital beds and inadequate social care reforms, which he believes are contributing to avoidable harm and excess deaths. Social care reform plans were announced but are unlikely to be implemented before 2028.
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Experts Warn Of Hospital Strain As Flu
Experts point to a combination of factors contributing to the surge, including a particularly virulent strain of the flu virus and the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many hospitals are struggling with staff shortages and limited resources, making it even harder to cope with the rising number of flu patients.
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Last week, 528 hospital beds in England were occupied daily by patients with diarrhoea, vomiting, or norovirus-like symptoms. While this number is down from 723 the previous week, it is nearly double compared to the same time last year (377) and in 2022 (338). Additionally, cases of RSV, which primarily affects infants and young children, have increased by nearly 50 per cent compared to 2023.