The NHS is experiencing a quadruple epidemic of rising cases of flu, COVID, norovirus, and RSV, leading to unprecedented levels of patient wait times and hospital stress. The situation is so severe that doctors warn the NHS will fail to meet its target of reducing waiting times for routine treatment unless emergency care issues are addressed.
The NHS is in the grip of a 'quad-demic' of rising flu, Covid, norovirus and RSV cases, with hospitals 'busier than ever' for the time of year
Dr Tim Cooksley, former president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said hospitals will soon start falling into “critical incidents” resulting in some patients being diverted to neighbouring hospitals An average of 96,587 hospital beds in England were occupied each day last week – more than have been recorded at this point in any other year.: “Pressures throughout the system are perfectly and bleakly illustrated in urgent and emergency care where patients experience appalling conditions and prolonged waits – it is an ongoing crisis which remains far from being resolved effectively.
“The two are dependent and need a coherent, co-ordinated approach that focuses on increasing capacity and workforce throughout the system. Reducing waiting lists and releasing pressure on urgent and emergency care will only happen if this is understood and actioned. “It is clear that the annual spike in winter demand has arrived earlier this year, which may well extend the ‘crisis period’ for emergency departments, with the coldest months yet to come.
NHS Quad-Demic Flu COVID Norovirus RSV Emergency Care Waiting Times Routine Treatment PM Promise
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