Faced with a surge in demand for hospital beds because of seasonal viruses, the NHS in London is asking the public to “help us help you” this Christmas.
As winter viruses flourish, the NHS is under increased pressure, with more patients coming into hospital sick and space urgently needed to treat them. Last week saw flu admissions increase daily with 1,621 people being admitted to hospitals across the capital, a 67% increase on the week before.
The increase in people needing hospital treatment can be prevented by people getting a flu vaccine. For anyone eligible and still not protected, today is your last chance to book winter vaccinations online or via NHS 111 for an appointment at a local vaccination site.
From tomorrow, you can still visit a covid-19 walk-in vaccination site or find a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine, but you may have to travel further.
More than 1.5million people in London have taken up the flu vaccine this winter, provided at GP surgeries, community pharmacies and schools. “Getting vaccinated is people’s best defence against winter viruses and will help prevent people from becoming seriously ill, reduce the number of people needing hospital care and help keep people at home with their families over the festive period,” the NHS said today.
Hospitals across the country struggle throughout the year to discharge patients who are clinically ready to leave hospital but who do not have somewhere ready to go to. This sometimes means other people wait longer for an emergency admission and a bed to become available.
Never is this more of a challenge for the NHS than over the Christmas and New Year period, when those beds are vital to treat the sickest people.
Important work: Dr Chris Streather
NHS England London’s medical director, Chris Streather, said: “Our staff are already working harder than ever to treat the sickest patients many of whom require time in hospital for treatment for flu, respiratory syncytial virus or other seasonal sicknesses.
“At the same time, it is always the case at this time of year that the NHS is caring for high numbers of patients who are actually ready to go home and spend the Christmas break with their families. Spending Christmas in hospital may be necessary for some but once you have had the care that you need in hospital, research shows that going home will help you get better much faster.
“The longer people stay in a hospital bed, the harder they may find it to get up and about as you get better. So, it’s really important that we work with families and patients to get them home when it is safe to do so.”
The public can use NHS services over Christmas as they normally would – dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency, or visit 111 online for urgent health needs or visit a local pharmacy.
Read more: St Helier Hospital stretched to limits by a ‘tidal wave of flu’
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
As featured on Google News Showcase
- Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here
Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network
