Five hospitals have declared critical incidents after winter flu cases soared over the Christmas period, leaving some patients facing 50 hour waits to be seen.
More than 5,000 patients have been hospitalised with flu over the Christmas and New Year period, according to NHS data.
Last week, there were an average of 4,469 patients with flu in hospital each day – almost 3.5 times higher than the same week last year – including 211 in critical care.
The news comes amid a surge in other winter infections including hMPV, an little-known cold virus that’s swept China, causing health services to falter — and is now hitting the UK and America.
The latest hospital to declare a critical incident is the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust because of a ‘significant and rising demand for hospital care.’
The Trust said more than 300 people attended A&E at Derriford Hospital yesterday and nearly 200 of those needed admitting for hospital care.
‘We are particularly seeing high numbers of older patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold weather,’ a statement said.
It comes after Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declared a critical incident this morning and called on members of the public to help manage the ongoing crisis.
Patients at Liverpool Royal Hospital, pictured, have been told to visit their GPs or to call 111 amid high numbers of people going to is A&E department, unless in an emergency
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The Trust said this was because of ‘sustained pressures’ at its Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals, including a high admission rate, a high number of infectious patients requiring isolation, and a low discharge rate.
Meanwhile, The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has said staff were working incredibly hard to treat patients suffering from ‘flu and respiratory illnesses’.
Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus surged in December, as health chiefs warned this winter could be one of the worst on record.
And there are warnings of continued pressure as we continue into 2025, with amber cold alerts for England issued as temperatures are set to drop below freezing.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has urged people to only go to A&E in a genuine medical emergency, instead asking them to visit their GP or call 111.
A spokesperson said the hospital was ‘extremely busy’ as it dealt with a soaring number of patients suffering from flu and other respiratory conditions.
Yesterday, the hospital said its A&E department was at ‘full capacity’, with patients reporting huge wait times.
A spokesperson said: ‘Given the exceptionally high demands on our Emergency Department, especially with flu and respiratory illnesses, and the number of patients we have taken this action to support the safe care and treatment of our patients, which is our absolute priority.’
Royal Cornwall Hospital, pictured, has said its services were under ‘significant pressure’ after a critical incident was declared
Patients are being urged to use other services, such as their GP, a local pharmacy, or walk-in centre.
‘The NHS 111 service can be used to help identify the most appropriate service for you and help avoid long waits,’ they added.
‘If you are attending our EDs, patients and visitors should follow some additional infection control measures to help curb the spread of winter viruses such as flu and norovirus.
‘This includes practicing good hand hygiene, only visiting the areas they need to in our hospitals and wearing masks in clinical areas if asked to do so.’
Earlier today top British virus experts called on Chinese authorities to disclose vital information about a worrying outbreak of hMPV, a cold-like virus which is reported to be overwhelming its hospitals.
The UK authorities ‘need more information on the specific strain circulating’ in order to accurately assess the threat to the British public, warned virus expert Dr Andrew Catchpole.
Cases of the infection — which causes cold-like symptoms — are on the rise across the UK, with graphs showing doubling in numbers over the last month.
Worryingly, this is primarily being driven by cases in young children — who are among the most vulnerable to serious complications — official data suggests.
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It comes after last week Royal Cornwall Hospital also declared a critical incident, saying its services were under ‘significant pressure’.
Bosses reached the decision on Friday evening after a week of sustained pressure on the main hospital and emergency department.
Kate Shields, chief executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly integrated care board said: ‘We are currently seeing a high number of ambulances waiting outside the Royal Cornwall Hospital and of patients in our emergency department.
‘There are also a large number of patients in Cornwall’s hospitals who are medically fit to be discharged but are awaiting the right care.
‘Declaring a critical incident allows the NHS to take additional, immediate steps to create capacity, help discharge patients, relieve pressure on our emergency department and release ambulances and their crews.’
She continued: ‘We urgently need the public’s support to make sure we can see those who are sickest and have the greatest need. Please only come to the emergency department if you have a life or limb-threatening emergency.
‘Other NHS services are available, and we encourage you to use them whenever possible. These include our network of minor injury units, our urgent treatment centre at West Cornwall Hospital, out-of-hours GP services, local pharmacies and NHS 111.’
Yesterday, the Government announced plans which will see millions more NHS patients receive free treatment in private hospitals in a bid to slash waiting lists.
The Prime Minister pledged to make ‘better use’ of the private sector so sick patients can be seen quicker for a range of issues.
GPs will be forced to actively tell patients when they can get their scans, tests or operations at private clinics.
And appointments will be booked via an updated NHS App or website, which will tell users their expected waiting times at each NHS and private provider, the distance from their home and their care quality ratings.
Norovirus can appear similar the symptoms of Covid, with both viruses causing chills, fever and headaches
Patients can then choose between them, with taxpayers footing the bill regardless of the option selected.
Critics have questioned how the extra appointments will be delivered given the country’s shortage of healthcare staff.
The policy is expected to see the number of appointments delivered by the private sector increase by at least a fifth, from 5 million to more than 6 million, each year.
It means private providers are likely to pocket an extra £2.5billion a year in government funding – taking their annual income from the Department of Health and Social Care to almost £16billion.
Health chiefs have previously warned the UK is seeing a ‘skyrocketing’ of flu cases as data shows flu hospital admissions are quadruple that of a month ago.
Figures show more than 4,500 beds alone were taken up by flu patients every day last week, up 3.5 times on the same week last year.
Of these, 211 were in critical care — up 69 per cent on the previous week.
More than 4,100 Brits also spent Christmas Day in hospital with the flu. By December 29, this had risen to over 5,000.
Rates of the winter vomiting bug norovirus, meanwhile, are also 40 per cent higher than expected for this time of year.
Health chiefs fear the ‘extreme’ and ‘dangerous’ cold spell set to hit the UK this weekend will continue to pile pressure on already stretched hospitals.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: ‘These latest figures show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the New Year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospital as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate.
‘On top of flu there is also continual pressure from Covid, while RSV and norovirus hospital cases are also higher than last year, with hospitals putting in place an extra 1,300 beds last week than the same time last year in expectation of this continued pressure from viruses and other demand.
‘With what looks like an extreme cold snap expected right across England ahead of the weekend, we know the low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions.
‘So, if you are at risk, do try and keep warm and make sure you are stocked up on any regular medication.
‘Please continue to use NHS 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only use 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.’
