Health bosses have warned that we could be in for a ‘long and difficult’ winter
Signs of NHS winter pressures are growing in Wales ahead of what is expected to be a “long and difficult winter”, statistics reveal. According to the Weekly Acute Respiratory Infection Report for the week ending December 14, the GP consultation rate for influenza in Wales was 26.8 consultations per 100,000 practice population.
The rate increased compared to week 49 from 20.8 consultations per 100,000. The data, published by Public Health Wales also revealed that the seven-day rolling sum of cases hospitalised within 28 days of a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 was 22.
For influenza there were 152 hospitalisations, while there were 123 hospitalisations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
During week 50, there were 278 inpatient cases of confirmed influenza, five of whom were in critical care. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here
There were also 108 inpatient cases of confirmed Covid-19 cases with four of whom in critical care, and 114 inpatient cases of confirmed RSV with nine of whom in critical care.
In response director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, Darren Hughes, said: “We are only in the early stages of what NHS leaders know is going to be a long and difficult winter, with an average daily figure of 1,500 people in October who were clinically ready for discharge but could not leave hospital because the necessary ongoing care and support was not available.
“We do not yet know when or at what level flu will peak. Public Health Wales’ latest report shows cases of flu are still increasing and that RSV season is underway, with current activity for the latter at very high intensity levels.
“These additional pressures come alongside increasing staff absence in the winter months.
“It’s therefore important we all do whatever we can to protect ourselves and our vulnerable loved ones from getting seriously ill, wherever possible.
“This includes everyone eligible getting vaccinated against flu, Covid and RSV. We’d also urge people to use services appropriately this winter, including using NHS 111 online as a first port of call, visiting your local pharmacy for common ailments such as sore throat and looking out for vulnerable people in our communities.”
However, there has been some promise in recent months.
He continued: “NHS staff have been working incredibly hard to deliver tens of thousands of extra appointments, including on weekends, which has resulted in several areas of improvement, including the overall waiting list going in the right direction.
“Significant improvements in ambulance handover delays over the course of the year have been testament to the NHS’s commitment to find new ways to improve care for patients.”
