Fewer flu patients in Sherwood Forest hospitals over Christmas week
Fewer flu patients were being treated by Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust (SFHT) over the Christmas week, new figures show.
The NHS said the drop in temperature is likely to increase pressures in the new year, adding it is ‘not too late’ for people to get the flu vaccine.
The most recent NHS winter situation report shows an average of 23 flu patients were being treated by SFHT each day in the week to December 28, with three in critical care.
It was down from 37 treated the week before.
Across England, an average of 2,676 flu patients were in hospital each day during the Christmas week, down 13 per cent from the previous week.
The figure had previously been on an upwards trend, reaching 3,140 in the week ending December 14.
Some 128 flu patients were in critical care beds in England last week, up from 117 the previous week.
Prof Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said: "It is welcome news to see a drop in the number of people being admitted to hospital with flu, thanks in part to the extraordinary efforts of NHS staff with more than half a million more people vaccinated against flu compared to the same period last year.
However, she added it was ‘vital’ the public continue to only use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies.
She said: "If you haven't had your flu jab yet and are eligible, please come forward – it's not too late."
Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said the fall in flu levels is ‘welcome after the very early sharp spike in cases’.
He added: "This is due in part to NHS leaders and their teams working incredibly hard to get as many patients as possible home for Christmas.
"However, this does not mean the pressure on the NHS is easing.
"Demand for NHS care remains high, with 24,000 more calls to 111 than the previous week and thousands of hospital beds still taken up by patients with flu and other seasonal viruses."
He added the cold snap comes as the NHS enters some of the busiest weeks of the year.
He said: "Health leaders and their teams will be doing everything they can to ensure patients are kept safe over the next few weeks.”