Staff needed as flu-like bug sweeps in

A flu-like bug sweeping the West Midlands has contributed to one of the busiest spells in years for the health service.

The region's hospitals and emergency services dealt with a record numbers of patients calling 999 on Saturday. West Midlands and Staffordshire Ambulance Service's Brierley Hill control room took 2,146 calls, which is around 650 more than usual. Extra staff were put on to try and cope with the demand but it meant some callers with non-urgent illnesses having to wait longer than usual.

Ambulance spokesman Murray MacGregor said the number of calls was unprecedented.

"We think it is down to a number of things including the flu, the current cold snap, the fact that it is winter and it is coming up to Christmas which is a busy time of year. There is a lot of sickness around at the moment."

He said people suffering from a winter bug with diarrhoea symptoms should stay home and keep warm and not call the ambulance service unless it is an emergency.

He added: "What is worrying is the very serious calls which could be life threatening are up 20 to 30 per cent."

In Birmingham, one of the GP out of hours service called Badger, had its busiest day in 12 years, dealing with 2,183 calls in 24 hours.

One of the biggest problems has been a flu-like illness causing respiratory problems and sickness and diarrhoea which has been causing particular problems among older people.

Health chiefs are predicting that demand for NHS services will continue to remain high during the coming days and are calling on people to make sure they get the right kind of treatment and not call an ambulance when their problem can be dealt with by a walk-in health centre.

Rob Ashford, chief operating officer for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "We ask people not to call 999 if it is not an emergency but if they are in any doubt, however, patients should dial 999."