Health leaders say hospitals are facing ‘unprecedented demand’ as patients described grim conditions inside city hospitals
The NHS is struggling with a soaring rise in ‘super flu’ cases (Image: PA)
Patients have described ‘war zone’ scenes inside hospital A&E departments as the local health service struggles to deal with “unprecedented demand” amid a wave of super flu cases.
Across the country, the NHS has warned it is facing a “worst case scenario” as exhausted staff attempt to deal with a massive surge of flu cases and our region is being hit hard as well. One patient who contacted the ECHO said they had been left waiting for 19 hours to see a doctor after going to Aintree Hospital’s A&E department.
The man said: “I have been sitting in a chair for all that time with no sleep. We were told that there were no beds for at least 63 people who were waiting, there are no doctors available – it is just chaos. People are lined up everywhere.”
The man said he saw around a dozen ambulances waiting outside the hospital’s A&E department, unable to offload patients, he saw many being treated in corridors and others simply walking out because they could not wait any longer.
He told the ECHO: “The entire department feels like a war zone. Staff are visibly exhausted, patients are frightened.”
Another man contacted the ECHO after visiting the Royal Liverpool Hospital’s A&E department last week.
He said: “It was the worst I had ever seen it in A&E, there were people being sick on the floor, others lying on the floor. It was just complete chaos.”
He added: “The staff were on their knees, I felt so sorry for them, they are doing an immense job in such difficult circumstances.”
The latest data shows that across the wider North West, there has been a huge 36.6% increase in the number of people in hospital with flu.
Dr Michael Gregory, Medical Director at NHS England in the North West said: “The NHS across the North West is facing unprecedented demand for services as winter pressures, increases in the early wave of super flu cases and upcoming industrial action are all adding to usual winter pressures.
Aintree University Hospital(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“With the rising number of patients in hospital with flu being extremely high for this time of year, we are asking eligible people to come forward for flu vaccinations as soon as they can to ensure they get this important protection and to avoid becoming seriously ill.
“The flu vaccine is our best defence against the flu virus, and it also helps to reduce pressure on hospitals and hard-working NHS staff who will be working flat out over the festive season.”
Health bosses in Merseyside have also warned that local hospitals are currently seeing high numbers amid the soaring flu situation.
A spokesperson for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said: “The NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside has tried and tested plans to help manage these periods of high pressure, and ensuring safe care for patients continues to be our first priority.
“With just a week left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas day, anyone eligible who has not yet had their flu vaccine is advised to book an appointment or visit a walk-in site as soon as possible, to prevent them from developing serious illnesses and needing hospital care during the busy winter months.
“People across the region are encouraged to use the most appropriate services for their needs over the coming weeks including the use of NHS111 for conditions which are less urgent. To help ease pressures on emergency departments people are reminded that A&E should only be used for life threatening illnesses.
“The public can also play their part by taking simple measures to stay well this winter, such as regular hand washing, keeping warm, staying active, supporting the timely discharge of loved ones, and by choosing the right service when they need help or advice.”