The NHS faces another crisis this winter as temperatures plummet (Image: Getty)
The NHS is bracing for a “perfect storm” as a deadly combination of freezing temperatures and surging winter viruses threatens to push the health service to breaking point.
It comes as The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has predicted at least 14,000 unnecessary deaths due to A&E delays this winter.
The combination of emergency backlogs and the weather will pile additional pressure on Prime Minister Sir who has been criticised for cutting winter fuel payments to elderly people.
He has also been accused of “de-prioritising urgent and emergency care” by focusing instead on reducing waits for planned operations.
Experts say the 10-day cold snap, which started on Thursday, threatens to push hospitals beyond breaking point, with increased cases of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory illnesses among vulnerable people.
Doctors are warning of increased hospital admissions from heart attacks, strokes and respiratory illnesses, compounded by the worst flu season in years and rising -19 cases.
Dr William Bird says the cold temperatures are ‘ideal conditions for viruses to flourish’ (Image: Getty)
Dr William Bird, who has advised the Government on weather-related health, said: “This winter has seen ideal conditions for viruses to flourish, from damp, cold weather trapping pollutants and viruses close to the ground to freezing temperatures that weaken immune systems.
“The current freeze-thaw cycle will also increase falls and fractures among the elderly.”
New NHS data covering the Christmas and New Year period showed flu cases have sky-rocketed, with more than 5,000 patients hospitalised with the virus at the end of last week.
By the end of last month there were almost four times as many patients with flu in hospital compared to last year – averaging 4,469 patients a day, including 211 a day in critical care.
Some hospitals across the UK have declared critical incidents, with many operating at 94 per cent capacity, far above the safe limit of 85%.
In the West Midlands, Walsall Manor Hospital reported a sharp rise in respiratory admissions, prompting a critical incident declaration.
The Welsh Ambulance Service also declared a critical incident last week, citing “unprecedented demand.”
At one point, more than 340 emergency calls were left unanswered, with over half the ambulances stuck outside hospitals waiting to transfer patients.
Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “We’re in an extremely difficult situation. Ambulances can’t offload patients, waiting times are worse than ever, and hospitals are struggling to cope. This is the visible sign of the NHS crisis.
Sir Keir Starmer is under renewed pressure on the NHS (Image: Getty)
“This year we have just gone backwards and this is down to a lack of political will. ‘s milestone was to reduce the 18-week wait for elective care. By prioritising that you de-prioritise urgent and emergency care, mental health and GP care.”
The latest data for November showed 150,000 people spent more than 12 hours waiting to be seen in A&E – a rise of 6,000 on the same time last year.
Dr Boyle added: “If you have a 12-hour wait you have a one in three chance this will turn into a 24-hour wait. These waiting times increase the risk of death.
“These long waits were not a problem a decade ago and we expect at least 14,000 excess deaths this year due to the problems linked to emergency departments.”
The current 10-day cold snap – which has led to amber and yellow weather warnings from the – is expected to last until mid-January and has brought freezing temperatures to most parts of the UK.
Dr Bird warned: “Cold weather exacerbates heart problems within two days and strokes within three. Respiratory illnesses spike after 10 days, leading to increased deaths.”
The removal of the winter fuel allowance is likely to have left many older people unable to adequately heat their homes.
Mr Bird said. “For elderly people, room temperatures must be at least 21C to stay safe. “With energy costs so high, many will save money and unknowingly put themselves in danger.”
Professor Carl Heneghan, an urgent care GP, and director of the Centre of Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford University, said: “The rise in seasonal pathogens is predictiable. Some years it is worse than others but it happens on an annual basis.
“The Government should be planning ahead for managing this as well as hospital acquired infections to ensure we have enough people in urgent and emergency care to cope with the increased numbers coming in with complications from influenza like illnesses. Why it does not do this I just don’t understand.”
He added: “The Health Secretary has advised people to wrap up, keep warm and keep the heating on. This is not appropriate when houses are so costly to heat at this time. Many people will be at risk, particularly those with heart and lung disease.”
Gregory Stafford, Conservative MP and a former NHS executive, blamed government inaction: “Cold kills and the Government’s complacency is unacceptable. Scrapping the winter fuel allowance could lead to the preventable deaths of up to 4,000 pensioners.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has come under fire for telling elderly people to wrap up warm (Image: Getty)
Labour MP Rachael Maskell said: “Having consistently warned the Government not to scrap winter fuel payments I urge them, even at this very late stage, to make the payments to all pensioners this year, while they find a long term solution.”
Former pensions minister Ros Altmann said: “The decision to take winter fuel payments away from the poorest pensioners, just as fuel bills are rising and temperatures are dropping, was utterly heartless and will undoubtedly cost lives.
“It will mean more pensioners will not keep warm enough and become ill. This will all cause more strain on the NHS and social care services.”
Liberal Democrat health and social care spokeswoman Helen Morgan said: “Cutting winter fuel payments has proved disastrous.”
Jan Shortt, of the National Pensioners Convention, said: “Living in cold homes exacerbates heart problems, enhances the onset of a stroke, respiratory conditions and other health issues.
“Older people will be struggling now with the onset of the latest freezing temperatures and we fear many will not survive into spring.”
The crisis has exposed the NHS’s struggle to cope with winter pressures. Flu and respiratory viruses are filling wards, while staff shortages due to illness leave hospitals dangerously understaffed.
Dr Bird warns of injuries in a ‘freeze thaw cycle’ (Image: Getty)
Dr Bird described the situation as a “perfect storm,” with freezing weather, high virus levels and NHS backlogs colliding: “We should expect a spike in deaths among the elderly, especially those who live alone.
“Without proper heating, their core temperatures will drop, weakening their immune systems. Many won’t even realise how cold they are until it’s too late.”
Authorities are urging the public to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours to ensure they have adequate heating and are staying warm.
Adam Brimelow, NHS Providers director, said: “It feels like the worst Christmas and new year the NHS has seen for many years. Services are under relentless pressure and things will get worse before they get better.”
A government spokesman said: “We are supporting the NHS as it faces record pressures this winter.
“We’ve ended the strikes so for the first time in three years staff are on the frontline not the picket line this winter, introduced the RSV vaccine for the elderly and vulnerable ,and immediately invested extra in the NHS.
“We have also just announced investment of £711million into social care, alongside long-term reform of the sector through the independent Casey Commission.
“But we’re committed to reforming our NHS to break out of the cycle of an annual winter crisis to build an NHS that’s fit for the future all year round.”