A “perfect storm” of appalling weather, persistently high hospital admissions due to flu and a renewed spike in norovirus put accident and emergency departments under considerable pressure last week, with the prolonged cold conditions set to put them under even more strain.
NHS England warned that the current bout of freezing weather could increase health risks for vulnerable patients such as the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.
He added: “Today and the next few days will particularly stretch trusts, with staff struggling to get to work and ambulance trusts having immense problems getting patients to and from hospital.
“A lot of hospitals will cancel routine work over the next few days as a consequence of both of these. Overall NHS staff are pulling together and making immense efforts to keep people our hospitals safe.”
There were 13 cases of ambulances being diverted away from A&E departments last week, while the number of bed closures due to norovirus, or diarrhoea and vomiting, rose from an average of 841 beds to 949 beds closed per day.
“With the severe conditions expected to continue, we ask patients and their families to bear with us as we seek to minimise any disruption.”
The latest figures from Public Health England (PHE) show there were 20 flu-related deaths reported in the week ending February 11, with 150 new confirmed cases reported in intensive care or high dependency units.
There have been 271 confirmed flu-related deaths so far this winter.
Periods of cold #weather can be particularly demanding on our #NHS. Do you know what options you have available to you if you feel unwell? Check out the handy guide below pic.twitter.com/ZuopBJ7XxO
— NHS England North (@NHSEnglandNorth) February 26, 2018
Dr Scriven added: “The latest weekly performance figures provide stark reading, with 18,000 patients in hospital for more than 21 days and bed occupancy still at 95%.
“The National Emergency Pressures Panel met this week and issued a thank you and acknowledged worst winter ever with weeks more to go but no real practical help.
“There have been no words from the Secretary of State regarding the NHS going the extra mile in this weather, yet we find ourselves in the midst of extreme conditions which have piled the pressure on our already-stretched hospitals.
“This week really has shown the passion, dedication, commitment and care of staff in our acute medical units and throughout hospitals in the most testing of conditions.”
