London’s hospitals are ‘facing an unprecedented flu wave this winter’ according to specialists
Hospital treatment: admissions for flu this winter are three times higher than this time last year
The NHS in London has issued another public appeal for people to get vaccinated, as the number of hospital admissions in the past few weeks has exceeded all recent records.
Across the country, some schools have been forced to close, as what has been described as a “mutant” strain of flu has spread rapidly among children, seeing hundreds of pupils off sick at a time.
Hospitalisations in London due to the flu virus have tripled compared to the same time last year.
Every day, an average of 259 patients took up a London hospital bed last week (beginning November 24) because of flu. With flu cases at a record high and no peak yet in sight, London’s NHS system is facing an unprecedented flu wave this winter.
“Eligible Londoners should get their flu jab as a matter of urgency,” NHS London said today.
Worrying signs: this year’s flu cases (red line to the left of this graphic) are far worse than in previous years
Dr Chris Streather, Chief Medical Director for the NHS in London, said: “The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite this, we know that surging flu cases will put pressure on services in the coming weeks.”
The NHS is also having to cope with industrial action taken by resident doctors.
Streather said: “While we’ve vaccinated more than 1.8million people this season, there are still vulnerable people who haven’t come forward. If you’re in one of the eligible groups and you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, I urge you to come forward as soon as possible.”
How to access flu vaccinations and medical care
Pharmacies: Quick support for common conditions including sore throat, sinusitis, earache and prescription-only medicines
Online GP services: 98.7% of GP practices offer online consultation requests (8million used in October)
Urgent Treatment Centres: Expanded network across England for non-emergency care
NHS 111: Available online and by phone to direct patients to appropriate care
A&E and 999 calls: For life-threatening conditions and serious injuries
Getting vaccinated has been easier than ever this year, with accessible vaccine pop-up events at football matches, soft play areas and shopping centres, and community pharmacies stepping up to provide more than half a million walk-in jab appointments.
You can check whether you are eligible for a flu jab by clicking here.
Across England, according to official figures, an average of 1,717 flu patients were in beds each day last week – more than 50% higher than last year – including 69 patients whose condition was critical.
Prof Julian Redhead, the national director for urgent and emergency care, said the figures confirmed the NHS’s “deepest concerns” that the health service was bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter, with cases “incredibly high for this time of year and there is no peak in sight yet”.
“The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite that we know that ballooning flu cases coinciding with strikes may stretch our staff close to breaking point in the coming weeks,” he said.
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Based in Croydon and edited by Steven Downes. To contact us, please email inside.croydon@btinternet.com