Last week, hospitals faced significant winter pressure with over 940 daily flu patients, a sixfold increase in four weeks. Norovirus cases rose by 61%, and COVID-19 hospitalisations increased by 59%. Despite junior doctors’ strikes and a surge in ambulance arrivals, handover delays were reduced. The NHS had over 100,000 beds open as part of winter planning. Efforts to discharge patients for Christmas saw 11,439 daily awaiting discharge. NHS 111 handled a record number of calls, answering a higher proportion within a minute compared to last year.
What do you think can be done at both individual and systemic levels to better prepare for and manage the increased pressure on hospitals and healthcare staff?