Two Somerset hospitals declare critical incidents as flu cases soar
Two Somerset hospitals have declared critical incidents due to sharp rises in patients presenting with flu and other respiratory illnesses. Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil Hospital have joined more than a dozen hospitals across the UK which have declared critical incidents due to "extremely high demand" for their services, especially within their accident and emergency departments.
The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (which manages both hospitals) has sought to reassure the public, issuing advice for those attending both A&E and regular outpatient appointments. A spokesman said: "Like many other hospitals in the region and across the country, we have seen a significant increase in the number of flu and respiratory illness cases.
"Colleagues and teams from across the trust have been working exceptionally hard to see and treat our patients as quickly as possible during times of huge demand. We are also working closely with our health and care partners to ensure that patients who are ready to leave hospital can be discharged, at the earliest opportunity.
READ MORE: Eleven in hospital after South West mini bus crash
READ MORE: Brand new Somerset Lidl store set to open this month
"Patient safety is our top priority and colleagues from across the trust are working together to ensure that we can continue to provide urgent and emergency care for all patients, and to keep as many routine services running as possible." While the critical incident is in effect, those needing to attend A&E should try to do so alone if possible, due to "very limited" space within the waiting areas of both departments.
Those attending should expect longer waiting times, and patients may be redirected to alternative NHS services - including Somerset's urgent treatment centres (which have largely replaced its minor injuries units), your local GP, a pharmacist or the NHS 111 service. Some non-urgent, planned treatments and appointments may need to be postponed as staff from across the hospitals seek to assist their colleagues within the emergency department.
However, patients who have appointments are advised to attend unless they have been informed to the contrary. A spokesman said: "If you have an appointment, please attend as planned.
"Please don’t call to check if your appointment is going ahead. We will contact you directly if we need to make any changes to your planned care."
Patients who have symptoms of flu, covid-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are advised not to visit either site if possible, and should wear masks if they need to visit to protect patients and staff. The spokesman added: "It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
"For non-urgent care needs, we would encourage you to seek help from NHS 111, before attending our hospital sites."
For more information, including on the range of NHS services you can access, visit www.nhssomerset.nhs.uk .
It comes as the number of people sick in hospital with flu has continued to rise in England. There were an average of 5,408 flu patients in the nation's hospitals in the week ending January 5. That’s up from an average of just 4,469 a week earlier.
Cases peaked on January 3 when a total of 5,657 beds were taken up with flu patients. This year’s winter flu season is far worse than what was experienced last year.
An average of 1,520 people were in hospital with flu in the week ending January 5 2024. That’s three times fewer than this year.
In the same week of 2023, however, an average of 5,835 patients were in hospital with flu. In 2033 it was an average of just 45.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: “Although this winter’s campaign vaccinated more people than last winter, this strain of flu has hit hard, putting more than three times as many patients into hospital compared to this time last year.
“Annual winter pressures should not mean an annual winter crisis, which is why this government is making significant investment in the NHS, undertaking fundamental reform, and acting now to improve social care. It will take time to turn the NHS around, but the fact that waiting lists are now falling shows that change is possible.”
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said: “It is clear that hospitals are under exceptional pressure at the start of this new year, with mammoth demand stemming from this ongoing cold weather snap and respiratory viruses like flu – all on the back of 2024 being the busiest year on record for A&E and ambulance teams.”