Royal Bolton Hospital sees increase in flu cases

And now hospital bosses are urging people not to come to A&E unless it is an emergency to stop the spread of the virus.

There are currently 67 people admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital with the flu, equating to around three wards.

A spokesman for Royal Bolton Hospital said: “Of course flu is really high at the moment and therefore it’s not a great time to be in the hospital unless you really need to be here.

“And we are seeing an increase in those admitted with flu symptoms and needing treatment.

“Unless you are really worried or you feel there is an accident or emergency, or clinical urgency needing you to attend our A&E, please use the other services that are out there.”

It comes after more than a dozen NHS trusts and ambulance services declared critical incidents over the festive period, with officials saying rising flu cases and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic have hit the health service.

Cllr Sue Baines for Health and wellbeing also commented on the rising pressures at the hospital due to flu cases.

She advised those who have not had the Covid vaccine, to take it up as soon as they can.

She said: “From what I am hearing, the NHS is extremely busy, and many beds are being taken up by the flu cases.

“If you have not had the Covid vaccine, then please get it and if you are not well, don’t go out but look after yourselves and keep warm.

“Especially for the elderly as we have a fuel crisis, and many are turning appliances off but please ensure the room temperature isn’t below 18 degrees.”

Latest figures show there are 5,000 people in hospital in the country with the flu, but this is spreading rapidly.

People are advised to minimise the risk by contacting 111 if it not life threateningly urgent and taking care of themselves at home.

PA (Image: PA)

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Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS organisations, said the situation in the health service is “very difficult” as it grapples with too few staff and high demand exacerbated by flu and Covid.

He told BBC Breakfast: “There’s no doubt the situation is very difficult – that’s why many trusts have declared critical incidents.

“We are not able to provide the level of service we want to provide…

“The simple reality here is that the health service is caught between the fact that it has limited capacity, particularly when it comes to workforce – 130,000 vacancies – and a level of demand that it is difficult to meet in ordinary times.

“When you add in flu and Covid, which doesn’t just affect patients but also means many staff are off ill, that’s when you get to this very difficult situation we’re in.”

Asked if cases of flu and Covid have peaked, Mr Taylor said: “I think it’s very difficult to be clear. I don’t think the statistics would give us reason to feel that we have peaked – January is normally the hardest month for the health service.

“So I think the one thing that we can say is that it’s going to carry on being tough, and that’s why it’s important to be clear about the situation and it’s important to have clear messages to the public.

“But also… it’s really important that, as ministers return to their desks, that they consider ways of reopening negotiations with the trade unions because four days of strikes on top of the situation we’re in now is the last thing we need.”

The UK health security agency has also advised people to wear masks if going out while ill and to keep children at home if they too are ill.

Options for care include 111, a pharmacy or a GP.