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new NHS Figures show the number of patients hospitalized with flu has now leveled off, but officials have issued a stark warning that health services are “not yet out of the woods”. Temperatures will plummet.
NHS England Says service is entering ‘calmer waters’ after early surge in hospital admissions influenza.
However, authorities stressed that “pressures on hospitals remain very high” and feared an upcoming cold snap could cause the situation to seriously worsen.
entire England Placed under Yellow Cold Health Alert british health and safety agency.
Amber cold health alerts are issued when weather forecasts are “likely to have a significant impact on health and social care services”.
New NHS figures show that an average of 3,061 people with flu were hospitalized every day in the week to December 21, down from an average of 3,140 in the previous week.
An average of 117 flu patients were in intensive care beds in the week to December 21, down from 128 the week before.
NHS England said the drop was “partly down to” the vaccination drive, with 500,000 more people getting the flu jab compared with last year.
The figures have been published in the latest weekly snapshot of the performance of England’s hospitals this winter.
Separately, an average of 285 hospital beds were filled each day in the week ending December 21, down from 427 beds the week before, with patients showing diarrhea, vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms.
But NHS England warned that hospitals were still under “incredible” pressure, with 95% of beds full.
Professor Meghana Pandit, National Medical Director for NHS England, said: “I would like to thank NHS staff who are continuing to provide care under huge pressure, and members of the public who are coming forward to get their flu jab, which is helping to protect the public and relieve pressure on hospitals.
“While there are signs of improvement and the NHS is calm, the pressure on hospitals remains very high and we are not out of danger yet, with temperatures set to drop over the coming days.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised the efforts of NHS staff “in the face of ongoing pressures”, adding: “By modernizing the NHS – with strong clinical leadership, adopting digital tools and empowering local leaders – ambulance handover times have been reduced compared to last year and more patients are getting the care they need, when they need it.”
“On top of that, we’ve administered over 500,000 more doses of flu vaccine this year compared to last year, but we’re not out of the woods yet and flu remains a challenge.”
Rory Deighton, director of acute and community care at NHS Confederation, added: “Given the very early and very rapid surge in flu cases at the start of the month, this slight fall in flu cases is welcome.
“However, this does not mean the pressure on the NHS is easing.
“Demand for services remains high due to seasonal viruses, with bed occupancy rates at approximately 95%, well above safe levels.
“Thousands more patients are stuck in hospital beds despite being well enough to go home, partly because of a lack of community and social care.
“We don’t know when flu levels will peak and with the busiest weeks of winter ahead, the NHS is working extremely hard to keep patients safe in the face of high demand, increasing staff illness and the ongoing impact of strike action.”