Quad-demic warning as hospital bosses warn people to get jabs.
NHS Trusts in the Black Country and Staffordshire have urged people to get vaccinated against a potential 'quad-demic' of respiratory diseases this winter.
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Four chief medical officers from Birmingham and Solihull warned of problems after a surge in hospital admissions - they want the public to get jabs for flu, Covid-19. respiratory syncytical virus (RSV) and Norovirus.
Figures show, as of Monday, December 9, there were 275 flu patients in acute hospital beds across Birmingham and Solihull compared with a peak of 219 last winter.
NHS figures show nationally there is an average of 1,861 patients with flu in hospital every day last week – up from 1,099 in the previous week and a staggering 3.5 times higher compared to the same time last year.
In Staffordshire, the University Hospitals North Midlands (UHNM) trust, which covers two hospitals, the Royal Stoke University and County Hospital in Stafford, there were 58 adult inpatient cases of flu last week
Dr Mark Poulson, deputy medical director, said: "This figure is likely to increase and the public can support our hospitals and reduce pressures on our services by making sure they are vaccinated against flu and covid-19, and only attending A&E in an emergency.
"Urgent medical advice is available through NHS 111, their local pharmacy, GP, or Walk in Centre.
"I also ask patients and visitors with symptoms of flu, norovirus, covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses, to avoid coming to hospital unless absolutely necessary."
Although the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board didn't give figures it offered advice for patients across the area it jointly covers, Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall.
Chief nursing officer Sally Roberts said: “During winter, respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu and RSV spread more easily as people spend more time indoors.
“With these viruses circulating in our communities, it’s vital everyone prepares for potential winter illnesses, especially for those who are at higher risk, such as the elderly, young children, and those with long-term health conditions.
“Vaccinations remain our best defence, keeping people from developing serious illnesses and helping to minimise hospitalisations in the run up to what is expected to be a busy winter season for the NHS.
“So, if you’re eligible for a COVID-19, flu or RSV vaccination, please come forward as soon as you can.”
The COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme started in October and to date almost 130,000 eligible people in the Black Country have come forward for a COVID-19 vaccine and almost 290,000 people have received a flu vaccine.
For more details on getting vaccinated go to https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/
