Fears of Severe Flu Season Amid NHS Doctors' Strike
Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, has warned that a particularly severe flu season is expected just as the NHS recovers from a five-day strike by resident doctors.
Anticipated Impact on Healthcare Services
The NHS is preparing for its toughest winter yet, with an early flu outbreak predicted to cause thousands of deaths. This surge is likely to strain the recovery process, leaving hospitals at full capacity from December to March.
Flu Vaccination Urgency
In response, the NHS has issued a strong call for flu vaccinations next week to ensure people are protected before the flu wave hits later this month. This warning follows Australia's largest flu season on record, which often forecasts the UK's flu trends.
Rising Hospital Admissions and Early Flu Surge
- Hospital admissions for flu in England increased by 60% in one week, rising from 251 to 422 cases.
- The current admission rate matches levels typically seen only at the beginning of December.
- Health officials have noted this surge occurred unusually early.
- Many at-risk individuals remain unaware of their eligibility for vaccination, as only 28.9% of people with long-term conditions have received this year's flu jab.
Flu Mortality Increase
New analysis reveals that flu deaths in England more than doubled last year, increasing from 3,555 to 7,757 fatalities.
Summary
The NHS faces a challenging winter with an early flu outbreak compounding pressures from recent strikes, highlighting urgent vaccination efforts to mitigate a potential health crisis.