Croydon’s NHS Trust is among the worst-hit in the country for cases of the latest “mutant” flu virus, according to weekly data released today.
Officials have been expressing concern about this season’s form of flu, which seems to have been affecting more people possibly because of reduced immunity throughout communities.
The medical director for the NHS in London, Dr Chris Streather, said the situation was “well within the boundaries” of what the NHS could cope with. The capital’s hospitals were better prepared for large outbreaks of disease since the covid pandemic, Dr Streather said.
The number of patients in hospital with flu is at its highest level at this time of year since 2021. Officials said cases had continued rising throughout the week, with fears they could top 5,000 by the weekend.
In London, there were on average 380 patients in hospital with flu in the week ending December 7, compared to 259 the previous week. In the same week 12 months ago, there were 133 flu patients in hospital in London.
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust administers Purley War Memorial Hospital and Croydon University Hospital at Thornton Heath, widely known by its original name, Mayday, which operates a large A&E department.
There, they went from 17 flu patients in the last week of November to 39 in the week ending December 7.
Only three other NHS trusts in the country had higher flu admissions last week.
Dr Streather said: “This unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worse-case scenario for this time of year.
“The numbers of patients in hospital with flu is extremely high for this time of year.
“Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.”
How to access flu vaccinations and medical care
- Pharmacies: Quick support for common conditions including sore throat, sinusitis, earache and prescription-only medicines
- Online GP services: 98.7% of GP practices offer online consultation requests (8million used in October)
Urgent Treatment Centres: Expanded network across England for non-emergency care - NHS 111: Available online and by phone to direct patients to appropriate care
A&E and 999 calls: For life-threatening conditions and serious injuries
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