More than half of NHS hospitals going through ‘worst-ever’ numbers in super-flu outbreak
NHS national medical director has said the service is facing a ‘worst-case scenario for this time of year’ – with 8,000 expected to be in hospitals in England with flu next week
More than half of NHS hospitals are reportedly now battling their worst ever flu numbers for this time of year. The news comes as a ‘super-flu’ outbreak has forced schools to close and hospitals to declare emergency measures as a “worst-case scenario” becomes reality.
During the second week of December, 2,660 patients were hospitalised each day, a 55 per cent increase on the previous week, according to LBC.
Norovirus is also spreading, with the The UK Health Security Agency saying cases have increased by 35 per cent. And 70 out of 141 NHS trusts are facing their worst-ever flu numbers for this time of year, according to analysis by the Daily Mail via LBC. University Hospitals Birmingham was among those which declared emergency measures last week.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said: “With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients.
“The number of patients in hospital with flu is extremely high for this time of year. Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.”
Experts have suggested that 8,000 patients could be in hospitals in England with the flu during the week of Christmas.
Meanwhile, this week’s five-day doctor strike in England will go ahead despite a new offer from the government, according to the BBC.
The British Medical Association said 83% of its members had voted to continue with the walkout in an online poll over the weekend, with a turnout of 65%.
The union agreed to the snap poll last week after the government came forward with a fresh deal which included increasing speciality training posts and covering out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees.
The strike by resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, is due to start at 7am on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “It’s irresponsible at any time, particularly at the moment. It comes on the back of a very substantial pay increase in the last year or so.
“There’s a deal that we’ve put on the table that could have been taken forward, and so I think it’s irresponsible action by the BMA, and not for the first time.”
The offer did not include any promises on pay – Health Secretary Wes Streeting has maintained he will not negotiate on that after resident doctors pay has been increased by nearly 30% in the past three years.
The BMA argues that, despite the pay rises, resident doctors’ pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, once inflation is taken into account.
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