Fears for hospitals as flu on the rise

Health officials have raised concerns that a rise in flu cases could put further strain on hospitals and A&E departments over Christmas.

The flu season has started earlier than usual, with surgeries and hospitals experiencing levels this month not usually seen until January and February.

The most recent reports for flu infections record some 40 cases per 100,000 people - thought to be the highest amount at this time of year for eight years.

Combined with an influx of illnesses related to this month's cold snap, experts have warned hospitals are under "intense pressure", particularly this week when many GP surgeries shut for four days over Christmas.

Shropshire's two main hospitals - the Royal Shrewsbury and Telford's Princess Royal - have been under intense pressure over the past couple of months.

But despite a huge rise in emergency admissions, mainly the result of respiratory infections among the old and very young, the hospitals are coping.

Shropshire's primary care trust have been issuing advice to the public over recent weeks, urging people to do more to take care of themselves and so save unnecessary visits to A&E or to see their GP.

Jonathan Fielden, of the British Medical Association said: "We all know that this time of year has increased pressures, but this winter has been worse than many of the last few.

"Hospitals are under intense pressure. The cold snap has brought, as predicted, an increase in the number of chest and cardiac problems. We have also seen intense pressure on our ambulance colleagues."

The concerns today come just days after Peter Bradley, the national director of ambulance services, said ambulance workers and A&E departments were "struggling to cope" with the winter illness season.

Mr Bradley said outbreaks of flu and the winter vomiting bug, along with falls and breathing problems associated with the cold weather, had led to the most difficult 10 days he had seen in the last 10 years.

Shropshire has reflected the national picture, as county ambulance crews dealt with a record number of calls in the past fortnight.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Flu has started earlier this year than last year, but current levels are not unusually high. We will continue to monitor levels closely."

Professor Steve Field, of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said surgeries and hospitals would be "very stretched" this winter.

What to look out for:

People often describe a severe cold as flu. But although flu starts like a cold with a sore throat or runny nose, it soon becomes far more severe.

Symptoms include:

• Fever (usually above 38C/100F).
• Chills
• Muscle aches and pain
• Severe headache
• Weakness and tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Chest pain

People should rest as much as possible and take pain relief regularly with aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen. It's also important to keep well-hydrated with plenty of warm fluids.

By Health Correspondent Dave Morris