Key Summary
- There were 2,519 patients in hospital with flu on average each day last week, down 8 percent on the 2,725 the week before.
- Average ambulance handover times last week (37:22) were more than five minutes faster than the previous week (42:51).
- The UKHSA has issued a yellow cold-health alert for the North West and North East regions of England.
The NHS continues to face winter pressures as the country approaches another cold snap, and a sharp rise in cases of the 'vomiting virus'.
There were an average of 823 patients in hospital with norovirus each day last week, the highest number so far this winter, and up from 361 a fortnight ago.
NHS National Medical Director Professor Meghana Pandit said: “A rise in this vomiting virus is leaving hospitals under pressure.
"Norovirus cases didn’t peak until February last winter, so we’re monitoring closely for further increases ahead of another predicted cold snap this weekend."
She advised the public to wash their hands frequently with soap and water to help prevent the spread of norovirus.
"You shouldn’t return to work, school or visit hospitals until you are 48 hours symptom-free. If your symptoms are severe, persist beyond a few days or if you’re concerned, call NHS 111 or your GP for advice.”
There were 2,519 patients in hospital with flu on average each day last week, down 8 percent on the 2,725 the week before.
It is also much lower than the 3,833 reported the same week last year.
However, the hard work of NHS staff resulted in speedier ambulance handovers and smooth patient discharges.
Average ambulance handover times last week (37:22) were more than five minutes faster than the previous week (42:51).
A&E data published last week also showed 73.8 percent of patients were admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours in December - the best it’s been for five years.
Dr Pandit said, "This is a testament to the incredible hard work of NHS staff and the early and detailed preparation and planning they did ahead of winter this year."
Health secretary Wes Streeting said: “Across the country, NHS teams have gone above and beyond - delivering hundreds of thousands more vaccinations and putting local plans in place to protect patients during the most challenging months of the year.
“Pressures remain high and we know another cold snap is on the way. I urge people to remain vigilant, follow the latest public health advice to keep you and your loved ones safe."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow cold-health alert (CHA) for the North West and North East regions of England.
The alert will be in place from 6 pm on 26 January until 6 pm on 30 January. Other regions of England are currently unaffected.
Matthew Taylor, interim chief executive of NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, said, “NHS leaders and their teams are working incredibly hard to keep patients safe amid these sustained pressures, so it is welcome to see the drop in flu levels and improvements in ambulance handovers, however, with further cold weather on the horizon it’s unlikely that there will be a let up any time soon.”
