Cold weather has taken its toll with rising deaths, increased demand for health services, staff illnesses and impact on travel. The ‘tidal wave’ of flu and winter illnesses continues. The present surge is in Norovirus.
Flu rates are starting to drop, but with an average of 3,800 flu patients in hospital remain 2.5 times higher than last year. Norovirus cases of diarrhoea & vomiting are up 80% on last year, double the average and still increasing. It spreads very easily with just a few viral particles needed to infect someone. If you get it: stay home for 48hours after symptoms clear; wash hands with soap and warm water; don’t prepare food for others; drink lots to avoid dehydration.
We can’t just blame the NHS and not share responsibility. In November 2024 NHS England estimated up to 20% of A&E attendances were avoidable or would have been better treated elsewhere. UK non-urgent cases account for an estimated 40% of 999 calls attended by ambulances, while only 8% of 999 calls are for life-threatening illnesses or injuries. You can help:
Please use NHS services wisely; Choose the right service:
Visit highly trained local pharmacists for advice and recommended treatments on minor illnesses, conditions or symptoms that don’t involve flu. For urgent medical advice, visit NHS 111 Online or call 111, which is available 24/7. Only call 999 or visit A&E for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding.
Practice good hygiene, wash hands frequently and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
The present severe situation is reflected by the stories about the length of waits and circumstances in which patients are being kept in A&E departments. It’s extraordinary that hospitals are advertising for ‘corridor nurses’.
A long-term solution for social care is critical if the NHS is to become more productive and sustainable. The Government’s announcement of an action plan to create a National Care Service, is welcome. Health and care services need to work seamlessly together for those who need them. The NHS needs to do all it can with councils and care providers to help people avoid the need for hospital and leave as quickly as possible if they do need to be admitted.
The Government has published its plan to reform elective care for patients. In October 2024 the waiting list for elective care stood at 7.5 million pathways, with 6.3 million patients waiting for an appointment, procedure or operation. Two-fifths of these waits were for over 18 weeks. The 62- and 31-day cancer waiting time standards were last met in 2014/15 and 2019/20 respectively. The constitutional standard is: 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment. To meet the 18-week standard and reform elective care by March 2029, focus will be on:
- empowering patients with more choice and control;
- reforming delivery by working more productively;
- delivering care in the right place to deliver best outcomes;
- aligning funding, performance oversight and delivery standards, with clear performance responsibilities and measures.
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SWF Health & Social Care Group 