Brits are being warned that the UK could be heading into a 'quad-demic' winter where four viruses put particular pressure on the NHS.
The winter is always a busy time for the health service, as they have to deal with a surge in certain illnesses which thrive in colder conditions, and health bosses have said the NHS is 'busier than ever'.
There had already been warnings that the UK was bracing to be beset by a 'tripledemic' of the flu, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and this already comes at a time when a record number of hospital beds are occupied.
Nurses said there was 'barely a spare bed in the NHS' as figures indicate that around 95 percent of hospital beds in England are full, with those who are eligible for a free flu jab are encouraged to get it 'as soon as possible'.
Advert
In England this week, an average of 96,587 hospital beds were occupied, the highest at any point in the year.
However, the bad news may be set to intensify as the 'tripledemic' could turn into a 'quad-demic' since norovirus cases are 86 percent higher this year than they were in 2023.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS, warned that there had already been expectations for hospitals to have to deal with a trio of viruses this winter, but that norovirus rates risked turning it into a 'quad-demic'.
He said: "The NHS is busier than it has ever been before heading into winter, with flu and norovirus numbers in hospital rising sharply – and we are still only at the start of December, so we expect pressure to increase and there is a long winter ahead of us.
Advert
“For a while there have been warnings of a ‘tripledemic’ of Covid, flu and RSV this winter, but with rising cases of norovirus this could fast become a ‘quad-demic’ so it’s important that if you haven’t had your Covid or flu jab to follow the lead of millions of others and come forward and get protected as soon as possible.
“Ambulances are also facing huge demand, with thousands of extra patients and other pressures having an impact on handover delays, which is why our robust plans, including services like urgent treatment centres and same day emergency care are so important this winter.
“As always, the public have an important part to play in helping NHS staff over winter by, as ever, calling 999 in an emergency and using the NHS 111 service through the NHS app, online or phone, for advice on how to access the right support for non-emergency health needs.”
Health experts have stressed that Brits who can get a flu shot really ought to as it'll help avoid 'more hospitalisations and deaths'.
Advert
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency added: "It’s clear that unless more eligible people come forward to receive their flu vaccine, we are likely to see more cases of flu, and more hospitalisations and deaths, than we saw last year.
"It is still early in the season, so there is still time to change the trajectory and reduce the impact of flu in our communities in time for Christmas, but time is running out."
NHS staff have also been encouraged to take the jab.
Joe Harker