Last week, an average of 344 patients per day were hospitalized with influenza, compared to 31 at the start of December last year, according to figures supplied by NHS England.
The number of flu-related hospitalizations has increased tenfold since this time last year, according to the most recent data.
Last week, an average of 344 patients per day were hospitalized with influenza, compared to 31 at the start of December last year, according to figures supplied by NHS England.
It also comes amid staffing challenges, with recent data indicating that roughly 360,000 NHS employees were absent from work last week due to illness or isolation due to COVID.
In addition, 80% of adult critical care beds were occupied, as indicated by NHS England’s first weekly winter report.
Last week, more than 13,000 (13,179) beds a day were occupied by patients who no longer required one; this is a 25 percent increase compared to the first week of December in the previous year (10,510).
It follows a warning from NHS authorities that a “tripledemic” of COVID, influenza, and record demand for urgent and emergency care is imminent.
There are concerns regarding the number of pediatric ICU beds accessible in certain regions of the country.
According to the most recent data, there were as few as 33 spare beds in England on Thursday, which is lower than at any stage the previous winter.
NHS England has confirmed that this month’s PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) occupancy is greater than in prior years, but the exact date may fluctuate slightly over the following two weeks.
The Paediatric Critical Care Society stated: “Many PICUs have reached or surpassed their staffing limits. In the following months, this situation is expected to remain or even worsen.”
According to them, staff shortages and a rise in the number of patients with complex conditions are limiting capacity.
Some hospitals are employing a one-in, one-out policy in which patients are sent to other trusts or treated in the community to reduce pressure; nonetheless, it was said that all children who require hospital treatment are receiving the required care.
President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Camilla Kingdon told: “We are troubled by reports of ICU bed shortages in certain regions of the country. We are aware that pediatric teams are extremely busy this winter due to increased demand and staffing concerns.”
The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) reported the most hours ever lost per month due to ambulance handover delays.
In October, 52,000 handover delays were surpassing an hour, a 7,000 increase from the previous month. Since October 2021, about one-fifth of all handovers now surpass 60 minutes, and the total amount of time lost has doubled.
The managing director of the AACE, Martin Flaherty OBE, stated, “These debilitating delays pose a dual threat; they do severe injury to patients who are forced to wait in the back of our ambulances, while our vehicles and crews are unable to respond to patients in the community who need us.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the national medical director of the NHS, stated that this winter is likely to be the “most challenging ever” for the organization and that the prospect of a “tripledemic” is quite serious.
“It has never been more crucial to acquire antiviral protection before winter,” he said.
Today, NHS England launched its annual 111 campaign, urging individuals to use its online service to minimize “record” A&E department demand.
When someone is gravely ill or injured and their life is in danger, call 999 and go to A&E, it was stated.
