THE NHS could be facing its worst winter in history as seasonal viruses and doctor strikes pile pressure on struggling hospitals.
Hospital bosses are warning A&E departments are already “full” because of surging demand.
And NHS England data today showed around 402 patients were in wards with flu last week, up two thirds on the 243 the previous week and more than double the 153 recorded a fortnight ago.
Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital on Tuesday became the twelfth NHS trust to declared a critical incident since October, saying anyone attending A&E who did not need to would be redirected to another service.
A spokesperson said: “We are seeing high numbers of unwell people through our emergency department and the hospital is full of patients needing our care.
“Our emergency services remain open and we will still be here for people who have life-threatening injuries and illnesses, but there will be long waits for other injuries and conditions.”
Health bosses are warning the latest round of junior doctor industrial action starting next Wednesday will only add to the NHS’s woes.
NHS England national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said the strikes will fall at “pretty much the worst time of the year for us”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Well of course we’re really disappointed the talks broke down last week and new strikes have been announced.
“They have been announced at pretty much the worst time of the year for us just before Christmas and just after Christmas.
“We’re particularly concerned about the six days of strike action starting in early January because of course that’s a period when the NHS gets really busy, that post-festive season period.
“We know that infectious diseases are increasing. We are beginning to see Covid increasing again and we’re just about I think to come into the winter’s usual flu wave.”
Sir Stephen added: “So there’s no doubt that those strikes are going to be difficult but, as ever, we’re working hard with hospitals, with local organisations to ensure that patient safety is maintained and that those emergency services will be there for everybody.
“But of course the public can do their bit and make sure you use our services wisely.
“My usual Christmas message is don’t end up in A&E when you don’t intend to over the Christmas period, so think carefully, enjoy the festive season but remember, our services will be under stress.”
Today’s NHS data show hospitals are already being battered by seasonal viruses, including flu, norovirus, RSV and Covid.
Cases of the winter vomiting bug norovirus continued to rise to 506 last week, up 25 per cent on the previous week.
Meanwhile, the number of medics off sick has also increased, with an average of 49,020 absent each day last week, compared to 47,018 the week before.
Faced with staff sickness, winter bugs and handover delays and now more industrial action by junior doctors in the coming weeks, this is looking increasingly difficult
Miriam Deakin, NHS Providers
Sir Stephen said: “We know we face a challenging winter on a number of fronts.
“The number of patients in hospital with flu and norovirus is increasing considerably each week.
“There are continued issues discharging patients who are medically fit due to a lack of social care capacity.
“And we are facing another period of industrial action ahead of the Christmas Bank Holidays.”
He added: “Our staff will once more be prioritising urgent and emergency care to protect patient safety and ensure those in life-saving emergencies can receive the best possible care.
“The public can continue to play their part by using NHS services in the usual way – calling 999 in an emergency and using NHS 111 for other health conditions, and by getting their flu and Covid jabs if eligible.”
A dozen NHS trusts have publicly declared critical incidents — meaning patients may be under threat — since mid-October.
The Isle of White NHS trust warned emergency care is “far outstripping the capacity the hospital has” on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a consultant at Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital yesterday said patients with non-life-threatening or serious ailments should seek help elsewhere.
Health bosses have said last year was the ‘worst we ever saw’ on the NHS, as hospitals were slammed by the double hit of flu and Covid, as well as the early days of doctor strikes.
Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, told MailOnline eight in 10 NHS leaders are now “expecting this winter to be tougher than last year”.
She said: “Winter is always difficult for the NHS and this year will be no different.
“Hospitals, mental health, community and ambulance services are doing everything they can to treat patients as quickly and as safely as possible as we head into winter.
“But faced with staff sickness, winter bugs and handover delays and now more industrial action by junior doctors in the coming weeks, this is looking increasingly difficult.”
