Sunday 9 February 2025
The ‘tidal wave’ of flu and winter illnesses continues. Hospitals in England have just had their busiest week of this winter so far. More than 98,000 patients, on average, were in hospital beds each day last week – the highest level this winter – with 96% of adult beds occupied.
The present worrying surge is in Norovirus. Norovirus cases in England are currently more than double the expected number for this time of year. NHS England showed 898 hospital beds were filled on average every day last week by patients suffering from norovirus-like symptoms – a 15% increase from last week – but flu cases continue falling, after peaking in January. Nearly 13,800 patients were in hospital even though medically fit to be discharged – a record high this winter. The twin pressures of winter viruses and problems discharging patients means hospitals are close to full – even as more beds have been opened to manage the increased demand. The rising pressures on hospitals have led to reports of patients facing long delays in A&E and ambulances queuing outside.
Flu rates overall decreased across most indicators and were at medium activity levels – there continues to be an increase in influenza B across some indicators. Covid activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) activity showed a mixed picture and was circulating at low levels overall. Norovirus 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. Can you catch Norovirus twice? “Just because you’ve had norovirus doesn’t mean you won’t get it again.
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’. Last month the Royal College of Nursing warned lives were being put at risk by what they called corridor care with patients having to be treated in makeshift areas including car parks, cupboards and nursing stations. “It’s worrying that we’re seeing record-breaking pressure despite the tireless efforts of trust leaders and frontline teams who are doing their level best to provide high quality care and to see patients as quickly as possible in very challenging circumstances.”
Latest data from the Mid & South Essex Foundation Trust with its hospitals at Basildon, Chelmsford and Southend include:
- 62.8% patients seen within 4 hours in A&Es, against a target of 78%
- 37 minutes average time for ambulances to handover patients, compared with 46 minutes in East of England and 63 minutes nationally
- 67.2% patients received cancer diagnosis results within 28 days.
Talking of hospitals I’m writing this article from my NHS hospital chair after a hip replacement operation on Friday. My grandmother had a very early hip operation at Stanmore Hospital back early in the 1960s. Huge advances since then. Very impressed by it all. The use of technology for treatments and monitoring are numerous. Plus the medicines used to protect healthy recovery are comprehensive. My first experience of a serious operation and I’m impressed by our wonderful NHS. Huge team effort everyone knows their role and teamwork is excellent. My initial conclusions: the medical operations of our NHS remain top class. We need a long-term plan and approach to make our NHS function organisationally. This must not be a party political ‘football’ but a permanent commitment never to let it go so badly wrong again.
On 30 January the Government’s 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance were published. The focus will be on:
- reducing the time people wait for elective care
- improving A&E waiting times and ambulance response times
- improving patients’ experience and access to general practice and urgent dental care
- improving patient flow through mental health crisis and acute pathways, and improving access to children and young people’s mental health services.
Local integrated care systems will get increased funding and more flexibility to improve and increase services.
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.
Last Monday 3 February was beginning of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week. The NHS launched a campaign to raise awareness of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs). These specialist services offer practical, medical and emotional support 24/7 to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused at any time in their life, and can be accessed directly and confidentially for victims who may not wish to go to the Police at the time. The nearest one to SWF is at Brentwood Community Hospital, Crescent Drive, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8DR, 01277 240 620 (Office Hours Only).
Tuesday 4 February was World Cancer Day. And on Wednesday NHS England launched a new national cervical cancer prevention campaign, which it hopes will contribute to the goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through uptake of HPV vaccines. Public health news is on our website and in weekly e-newsletters. SWF Library provides online services and help with internet access. For health & welfare information and subscription to our newsletter, email swfhealthsocial@outlook.com , or leave voicemails on 01245 322079. https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/
SWF Health & Social Care Group 