Local data before Christmas showed 40 out of 1,850 beds (2.1%) were occupied by flu patients in our Basildon, Chelmsford & Southend Hospitals, double the previous week. Nationally last week 2,676 people were in hospital with flu, down from 3,000 the previous week. But there’s now an amber extended cold health alert until 9 January. Experts warn this will have a significant impact on the demand for health services, along with returns to work and education. Staff sickness and travel delays won’t help either.
The key message from all authorities is: Everyone eligible get your flu jab and only attend A&E in an emergency. This year’s version of flu is different. We have less immunity, so the spread is greater. Children and young people are most affected. The flu vaccine is free on the NHS for those over 65-years-old, young children, pregnant women, those with certain health conditions, carers, and front-line health and social care workers. People in other groups can get the same vaccine for a fee from local pharmacists.
Latest reports:
- COVID-19 activity is stable and at baseline levels.
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shows mixed trends and is circulating at medium levels.
- Norovirus has increased recently and is at expected levels; the highest rate is among children.
Resident Doctors’ went on strike between 17-21 December. Data on the impact is awaited. “Patients must be able to trust medical professionals with their lives and health. To justify that trust [they] must make the care of patients their first concern, and meet the standards expected of them…. .” Is striking in keeping with that duty? With financial constraints, long waiting times for treatments, and patients suffering the consequences of these strikes, do they have public support?
It’s terrible that the NHS has had to publish updated Principles for providing patient care in corridors! “The use of corridor care is never acceptable and must be avoided when caring for patient groups including:
- children
- mental health patients
- patients with learning disabilities, neurodivergence or autistic patients
- patients with physical disabilities
- patients who have dementia, confusion or delirium
- patients who are confirmed or suspected of being infectious
- patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- patients who are severely frail
- patients who are at end of life.
Nevertheless, recent reports suggest patients are being given end-of-life care in A&E corridors. Hospices are struggling to provide beds and it’s unclear if sufficient end-of-life community support is available. Is this acceptable? Meanwhile, NHS bosses urge patients not to clog up A&E with everyday niggles. Local research highlights:
- 42% of people who visited A&E for a non-emergency said they went because they believed they would be seen faster.
- 22% later realised they could have been treated by another NHS service such as a pharmacy, NHS 111 or their GP practice.
- 43% of people say they’ve had a winter illness recently. Over half chose to manage at home, while a quarter sought advice from their pharmacy.
We continue to monitor progress after the recent CQC report that the leadership of our local hospitals’ was inadequate.
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With best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year.
SWF Health & Social Care Group 