The NHS is bracing for an exceptionally challenging winter as fears of a potential 'quad-demic' rise, with a staggering 350% increase in flu cases and an 86% surge in norovirus cases compared to the same week last year.
This alarming trend is compounded by rising COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) levels in hospitals.
Newly released weekly figures reveal that the NHS is under more pressure than ever before. Last week, an average of 1,099 people were hospitalised with flu daily, a significant increase from 243 in the same week last year. This marks the highest number of flu cases heading into winter in at least three years.
Efforts by NHS staff have resulted in over 27 million vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, and RSV. However, the NHS is urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated without delay as virus levels continue to rise. NHS staff are also encouraged to get their jabs to protect themselves and those around them.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting commented:
“We inherited an NHS that is broken but not beaten, and staff are already working hard to tackle an increase in admissions this winter.
“We’re backing them with an extra £26 billion secured in the recent Budget and we’ve already resolved the industrial action to ensure A&Es will be strike-free for the first time in three years.
“For too long, an annual winter crisis has become the norm. We will deliver long term reforms through our 10 Year Health Plan that will create a health service that will be there for all of us all year round.
“I’d also encourage anyone who is eligible to join the over 27 million people who have already come forward for their flu, RSV and Covid jabs – it’s the best way to protect yourself this winter.”
The data shows an average of 1,390 COVID-19 patients in hospital beds each day last week, alongside 142 children with RSV and 756 patients with norovirus – an 86% increase from the previous year. Hospital bed occupancy has reached record levels for this time of year, with an average of 96,587 beds occupied daily, and this pressure is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
Ambulance services are experiencing unprecedented demand, with thousands more patients arriving via ambulance (up from 83,873 to 90,514). Handover delays have also surged, with 35,022 hours lost, an 87% increase from last year.
NHS 111 received 413,426 calls last week, with 73.1% answered within a minute, a 4.4% improvement from last year. However, issues with discharging patients who no longer need to be in hospital continue to impact capacity, with an average of 11,969 beds occupied by patients ready for discharge.
To manage the extra demand, the NHS has implemented several measures, including upgrading 24-hour live data centres, strengthening same-day emergency care, and offering more falls services for older people.
In September, an independent review by Lord Darzi highlighted years of underinvestment, leaving the NHS with an ageing estate and outdated technology. The Government and NHS are now engaging the public, patients, and staff in the largest ever conversation about the health service, aiming to deliver an NHS fit for the future through the 10 Year Health Plan.
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