1 week Ago
In England as a whole, there has been a 70 percent increase in hospital cases across just seven days, 3.5 times higher compared to the same time last year, with an average of 1,861 patients with flu in hospital every day last week. NHS Somerset says the national picture is being reflected locally and are encouraging eligible people to get vaccinated.
Dr Melanie Iles, Chief Medical Offihcer at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil District Hospital, where both emergency departments are under pressure, said: “Everyone can do their bit to help the NHS when it’s under pressure. READ MORE: North Somerset zoo to home tigers, foxes and vultures READ MORE: Stakeholders consulted over plans to find new sites for Somerset homes “It’s vital that those who need medical help come forward as they usually would – using 999 and A&E in life threatening emergencies but for everything else, please consider using 111 online alongside your GP practices and pharmacies.” Norovirus and RSV cases are also on the rise, with norovirus cases up almost two thirds since last year and 152 children in hospital with RSV each day, up by over two fifths on the same period in 2023.
The “tidal wave” of seasonal illnesses is prompting further “quad-demic” concerns across the NHS with staff pulling out the stops to deliver almost 28 million vaccines so far. It was the busiest November on record for A&E staff in England, with a total of 2.31 million attendances, 7% higher than last year.
Dr Kheelna Bavalia, NHS England South West Medical Director, today urged people to protect themselves for Christmas. “Cases of flu are rising exponentially so I would urge everyone in the South West to get themselves jabbed and protect themselves in time for family gatherings over the festive period,” she said. “The flu vaccine eases pressure on hospitals and our frontline workers who are really up against it during this time.
The vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and I would urge everyone who is eligible to put the flu jab at the top of their to-do list in the run up to Christmas.” NHS Somerset’s Chief Medical Officer Bernie Marden said: “While the NHS has plans in place to manage additional demand over the busy winter period, with one week left to book your vaccine, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting booked in to protect yourself against serious illness and to avoid ‘festive flu.’”.
