NHS heading for ‘worst ever’ flu season with winter virus peak ‘yet to come’
THE NHS is on course for one of its worst flu seasons ever, England’s medical director warned yesterday.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis said the health service is battling rising cases of winter viruses.
It comes as figures suggest 1.1million people could not get a GP appointment when they tried before Christmas.
Last year saw an increase in A&E visits for minor ailments like hiccups and earache as desperate patients struggled to get help.
The Welsh Ambulance Service yesterday said it had a backlog of 999 calls and urged revellers to drink sensibly on New Year’s Eve.
The turn of the year is one of the NHS’ busiest nights.
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We expect the peak is yet to come
Professor Sir Stephen Powis
It hits midway through a “quad-demic” of the winter bugs flu, RSV, Covid and norovirus.
Prof Powis said: “The winter flu season has not only hit the NHS early this year, but it is potentially on track to be one of the worst we have ever seen as the ‘quad-demic’ continues.
“Frontline NHS staff are under significant pressure.
“As families and friends have gathered over the festive period we expect the peak of seasonal viruses is yet to come.”
He said people should only call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency and should use 111 for other urgent issues.
The Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident on Monday night and said that at one point it had a backlog of 340 phone calls.