Why Thousands Are Hospitalized with Flu: Insights from a Greater Manchester GP
A Greater Manchester GP explains the alarming rise in flu cases leading to hospitalizations this winter
Greater Manchester, UK, Flu, NHS, Dr Helen Wall, Quad-demic
Greater Manchester: Thousands of folks are hitting the hospitals with severe flu, and a local GP is shedding light on why. The NHS is sounding the alarm about a ‘quad-demic’ with flu, Covid-19, RSV, and norovirus all putting a strain on hospitals. This winter could be one of the worst flu seasons ever, with nearly three times as many people hospitalized compared to last year.
Dr. Helen Wall, a GP in Bolton, shared that low vaccine uptake and the flu vaccine not covering all strains are major factors in this spike. She mentioned that flu is constantly changing, making it tough to keep up. “Every year we try to match the strains, but we don’t always get it right,” she said.
Despite the risks, fewer people are getting the flu jab. Dr. Wall pointed out that reaching the 95% vaccination rate for herd immunity is a challenge. Many at-risk individuals under 65 are hesitant to get vaccinated, while those over 65 have seen a slight drop in uptake.
In the week ending December 29, around 4,469 patients were hospitalized with flu in England, which is five times more than last year. Greater Manchester is feeling the heat too, with an average of 197.3 flu patients in hospitals, nearly triple the number from last year.
Dr. Wall expressed concern about the rising flu cases, noting a staggering 360% increase in hospital admissions compared to last year. While winter spikes are expected, this year’s surge is happening much earlier.
Staff in local hospitals have reported severe overcrowding and bed shortages. Just before Christmas, emergency departments were overwhelmed, with some patients waiting over 36 hours for a bed. Many patients were stuck in ambulances for over an hour due to the lack of available beds.
There are also many patients who are well enough to go home but can’t be discharged because there’s no care available for them. On December 29, 859 patients were ready to leave, but only 189 were discharged.
Dr. Wall is worried that the flu cases might keep climbing. She mentioned that the rise in hospitalizations is causing a ripple effect, leading to canceled operations and a backlog in primary care. “We’re holding our own, but we don’t know how high the flu will go,” she said.
Colin Scales from NHS Greater Manchester noted that January usually sees a spike in illnesses like flu. The NHS is working hard to manage the situation, ensuring patients get the care they need while trying to discharge those who are ready to go home.