Blitz Bureau
HOSPITALS in England were under “exceptional pressure” and facing “mammoth demand” with flu cases continuing to rise and the cold weather, according to NHS. Some staff even said the strain being placed on them felt “like some of the days we had during the height of the covid pandemic”.
The number of patients with flu is more than three times higher than this time last year and on par with early 2023 – one of the worst flu seasons for many years.
The average number of patients with the flu virus in hospital in England stood at 5,400 a day last week – about 1,000 higher than a week before. About 20 NHS trusts in England have declared critical incidents this week. The Welsh Ambulance Service also declared a critical incident, last week.
Earlier, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine warned hospitals in Scotland were “gridlocked”. Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents health managers, said the combination of cold weather and flu had meant a “brutal” start to the new year. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” she said.
“Things are likely to get worse before they get better. “Stresses and strains on emergency services are a huge concern, with many patients facing long waits for ambulances.”
