Greater Manchester hospitals hit with 'double whammy' of surging flu and Covid cases
A leading doctor said that the 'double whammy' of rising Covid-19 and flu cases is putting the NHS under mounting pressure.
Another doctor revealed "exhausted" staff are battling illness and has been struck by the number of "extremely sick" young flu patients who have needed ventilation. Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said pressure is coming from numerous directions, including staff shortages, lack of investment, a worn-out workforce, backlog of operations and a continuation of Covid and flu cases.
"And we’ve got the imperative to try and make some gains on the waiting list, so there’s a real pressure there also to do more of that routine activity." An average of 3,746 people with flu were in hospital across the seven days to December 25, up week on week from 2,088, according to NHS England. The number was just 772 at the start of the month.
Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, told Times Radio that long waiting times were being linked with hundreds of unnecessary deaths. In Greater Manchester, on December 18, a total of 149 patients taken to hospital endured handover waits of more than an hour, according to statistics. The figures for the day are the latest available - with ongoing pressures being faced by hospitals likely to indicate the current figure would be higher.
He added: "Sadly, these latest flu numbers show our fears of a 'twindemic' have been realised, with cases up seven-fold in just a month and the continued impact of Covid hitting staff hard, with related absences up almost 50 per cent on the end of November." "We are making an urgent plea to the public in Greater Manchester to only call 999 or attend A&E if their condition is a life threatening emergency."
Carl Cleaver wrote: "My son is really feeling unwell and has been for a number of weeks but no GP appointments. Called 111 this morning at 8am after attempting to call GP after he has worsened.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
All those from Greater Manchester recognised in King's New Year Honours listAll the incredible people from Greater Manchester recognised in King's New Year Honours list
Read more »
Undiscovered places you need to visit in Greater Manchester in 2023We shine a light on some amazing places which are right on our doorstep
Read more »
New Year's Eve celebrations LIVE as revellers descend on Greater Manchester pubsReporters lyell_tweed and LouisaGregson are out and about in Manchester as the city prepares to ring in the new year!
Read more »
The village 90 minutes from Greater Manchester that's a 'UFO hotspot'As well as its outer-worldly sightings, people even bring their hens to the village each year to race one another in the hope of winning a bag of grain and a trophy
Read more »
The murderers locked up in Greater Manchester this year25 people were jailed for murder in our region in 2022
Read more »
Greater Manchester weather forecast as Met Office issue ice warningWeather experts warned that in affected areas there will probably be icy patches on roads, pavements and cycle paths - leading to a higher likelihood of injuries from slips and falls
Read more »