Five hospitals have declared critical incidents after winter flu cases soared over the Christmas period, leaving some patients with 50-hour waits to be seen.
According to NHS data, more than 5,000 patients have been hospitalized with the flu virus over the Christmas and New Year period.
Last week, there were an average of 4,469 flu patients in hospital each day (almost 3.5 times more than the same week last year), including 211 in intensive care.
The latest hospital to declare a critical incident is University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust due to “significant and increasing demand for hospital care”.
The Trust said more than 300 people attended A&E at Derriford Hospital yesterday and almost 200 of them needed to be admitted for hospital care.
“We are especially seeing a large number of older patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold weather,” a statement said.
It comes after Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declared a critical incident this morning and called on the public to help manage the current crisis.
The Trust said this was due to “sustained pressures” at its hospitals in Basingstoke and Winchester, including a high admission rate, a large number of infectious patients requiring isolation and a low discharge rate.
Meanwhile, Royal Liverpool University Hospital said staff were working incredibly hard to treat patients suffering from “flu and respiratory illnesses”.
Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus all increased in December, as health chiefs warned this winter could be one of the worst on record.
And there are warnings of continued pressure as we move towards 2025, with amber cold alerts for England issued as temperatures fall below freezing.
Patients at Liverpool Royal Hospital, pictured, have been told to visit their GPs or call 111 amid large numbers of people attending the A&E department, unless it is an emergency .
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has urged people to only go to A&E in the event of a genuine medical emergency, asking them instead to visit their GP or call 111.
A spokesman said the hospital was “extremely busy” as it cared for a growing number of patients suffering from flu and other respiratory conditions.
Yesterday, the hospital said its emergency department was at “full capacity”, with patients reporting huge wait times.
A spokesperson said: “Given the exceptionally high demands on our Emergency Department, especially with flu and respiratory illnesses, and the number of patients, we have taken this action to support the safe care and treatment of our patients, which is our absolute priority. “.
‘We have a comprehensive plan in place and are taking all necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances patients and colleagues are currently facing.
‘We are working with partner organizations to ensure that those who are medically fit can leave hospital safely and as soon as possible.
“Colleagues are working incredibly hard to treat people as quickly as possible, however some people will experience longer waits as we treat our sickest patients.”
Patients are encouraged to use other services, such as their GP, a local pharmacy or a walk-in centre.
“The NHS 111 service can be used to help identify the most suitable service for you and avoid long waits,” they added.
‘We have seen increasing numbers of people with flu and respiratory illnesses in our emergency departments in recent weeks.
‘If you attend our A&E, patients and visitors should follow some additional infection control measures to help slow the spread of winter viruses such as flu and norovirus.
“This includes practicing good hand hygiene, visiting only necessary areas in our hospitals, and wearing masks in clinical areas if requested.”
It comes after the Royal Cornwall Hospital also declared a critical incident last week, saying its services were under “significant pressure”.
Bosses made the decision on Friday afternoon after a week of sustained pressure on the main hospital and emergency department.
Kate Shields, chief executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly integrated care board, said: “We are currently seeing large numbers of ambulances waiting outside the Royal Cornwall Hospital and patients in our emergency department.
The Royal Cornwall Hospital, pictured, has said its services were under “significant pressure” after a critical incident was declared.
‘There are also large numbers of patients in Cornwall hospitals who are medically fit to be discharged but are waiting for appropriate care.
“Declaring a critical incident allows the NHS to take additional and immediate action to build capacity, help discharge patients, relieve pressure on our emergency department and free up ambulances and their teams.”
He continued: ‘We urgently need public support to ensure we can care for those who are sickest and most in need. Go to the emergency department only if you have a life- or limb-threatening emergency.
‘There are other NHS services available and we recommend that you use them wherever possible. These include our network of minor injury units, our urgent treatment center at West Cornwall Hospital, out-of-hours GP services, local pharmacies and NHS 111.’
Yesterday the Government announced plans for millions more NHS patients to receive free treatment in private hospitals in a bid to reduce waiting lists.
The Prime Minister has pledged to make “better use” of the private sector so that sick patients can be treated more quickly for a range of issues.
GPs will be forced to actively inform patients when scans, tests or operations can be carried out in private clinics.
And appointments will be booked through an updated NHS app or website, which will tell users their expected waiting times at each NHS and private provider, the distance from their home and their care quality ratings.
Norovirus may appear similar to Covid symptoms, with both viruses causing chills, fever and headaches.
Patients can then choose between them, and taxpayers foot the bill regardless of which option is selected.
Critics have questioned how the additional appointments will be made given the shortage of healthcare workers in the country.
The policy is expected to increase the number of appointments made by the private sector by at least a fifth, from 5 million to more than 6 million, each year.
This means private providers are likely to pocket an extra £2.5bn a year in government funding, taking their annual revenue from the Department of Health and Social Care to almost £16bn.
Health chiefs have previously warned that the UK is seeing a “skyrocket” in flu cases, as data shows flu hospital admissions quadrupling from a month ago.
Figures show that more than 4,500 beds were occupied by flu patients each day last week, 3.5 times more than the same week last year.
Of those, 211 were in critical care, 69 percent more than the previous week.
More than 4,100 Britons also spent Christmas Day in hospital with flu. By December 29, this number had increased to more than 5,000.
Meanwhile, rates of norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, are also 40 percent higher than expected for this time of year.
Health chiefs fear the “extreme” and “dangerous” cold snap set to hit the UK this weekend will continue to put pressure on hospitals which are already stretched to the limit.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: “These latest figures show that flu pressure was nowhere near easing before we approached the New Year, soaring to more than 5,000. cases per day in the hospital as of the end of last week and increasing at a very worrying rate.
“In addition to the flu, there is also continued pressure from Covid, while hospital cases of RSV and norovirus are also higher than last year, with hospitals installing 1,300 extra beds last week compared to the same period of the year passed in expectation of this continued pressure from viruses and other demands.
“With what appears to be an extreme cold snap expected across England ahead of the weekend, we know that low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions.
“So if you are at risk, try to stay warm and make sure you have enough regular medication.”
“Continue to use NHS 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health problems, and only use 999 or go to A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”