There is currently a 352% increase in patients hospitalised with flu (Image: Getty)
The overrun NHS is facing a crisis before Christmas with a 352% increase in patients hospitalised with flu.
Disturbing data shows the number currently in hospital was 1,099 every day last week. This time last year it was just 243.
It has raised fears of a potential “quad-demic” and the ability of health services to cope with a spike in illness as overstretched medics head into the peak winter season under significant pressure.
The number of patients admitted with diarrhoea, vomiting bugs and norovirus peaked at 1,160 on Sunday. This compared to an average of 591 cases a day last year.
Rory Deighton, acute director at the NHS Confederation, the membership organisation that speaks for the whole healthcare system, said: “These figures are deeply worrying as they provide yet more evidence that the NHS is already under considerable strain before the pressures of winter have peaked.
“We knew that the health service was running hot, with A&Es, ambulances and general practice having their busiest October on record. But it is clear that the impact from seasonal viruses such as flu and norovirus is being felt much earlier than in previous years, with 10% more staff off sick than the same week last year. Ambulance handover delays are already much higher than the same week last year, while bed occupancy remains above safe levels.
“NHS leaders and their teams are working incredibly hard to provide patients the care they need in very difficult circumstances and signs suggest we are going to be facing a very tough winter.
“Tackling the capacity problems in social care is going to be critical if we are going to ensure that future winters are not as difficult. But we also hope the 10 year plan for health and the spending review next year will give the NHS the financial security it needs to start making the big shifts in care needed to achieve the government’s ambitions. Providing more preventative care out of hospital will be a key way of reducing pressures on ambulances and A&Es.”
Health chiefs have warned of a ‘quad-demic’ (Image: Getty)
Figures also show there was an average of 51,667 NHS staff absent from work due to sickness or self-isolation last week, while an average of 11,969 hospital beds every day were filled with patients no longer meeting the criteria to be there – so-called “delayed discharges”.
More than 27 million vaccinations have taken place so far this season, with England’s chief medical officer among those urging people to get the jab.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “The NHS is busier than it has ever been before heading into winter, with flu and norovirus numbers in hospital rising sharply – and we are still only at the start of December, so we expect pressure to increase and there is a long winter ahead of us.
“For a while there have been warnings of a ‘tripledemic’ of , flu and RSV this winter, but with rising cases of norovirus this could fast become a ‘quad-demic’ so it’s important that if you haven’t had your or flu jab to follow the lead of millions of others and come forward and get protected as soon as possible.”
Mr Streeting says the NHS is ‘broken’ and has promised reform (Image: Getty)
In September, an independent review by Lord Darzi warned years of underinvestment left the NHS with an ageing estate and outdated tech, making it harder for staff to deliver the best possible care.
It triggered a promise of a 10 Year Health Plan, which aims to deliver an NHS fit for the future.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “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 jabs – it’s the best way to protect yourself this winter.”