Great Western Hospital have confirmed that 2,503 adults attended urgent and emergency care in the first week of December, along with a 53 per cent increase in those aged under 17 attending children’s emergency services, compared with the last week of November.
A spokesperson for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust is currently extremely busy but staff are working hard to see patients as quickly as possible.”
They continued: “Local people can support us by collecting your loved ones from hospital as soon as they are well enough to go home, and considering accessing healthcare in the community in the first instance, through your GP or a pharmacist.
“Always call NHS 111 if you’re not sure what to do and only come to hospital if you really need to.”
This comes amid huge pressure on hospitals nationally, with a critical incident being declared at six hospitals in the West Midlands due to “exceptional” numbers of patients with flu.
NHS bosses in the South West have issued a last chance call for people to get their flu jab ahead of Christmas, with hospitalisations from the illness surging by 76 per cent in the region in only one week.
NHS England South West revealed that the number of beds taken up by flu compared to the same week last year (week to December 7, 2024), has gone up by 93 per cent.
The hospitals in question include those in Birmingham, Solihull, Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent.
The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust blamed this on “exceptional” numbers of patients with flu.
The trust runs Good Hope, Heartlands and Queen Elizabeth hospitals in Birmingham, and Solihull Hospital.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) have also declared a critical incident, with patients being advised to expect long delays, and only to attend A&E in a life-threatening emergency.
Flu hospitalisation is currently at a record level in England for this time of year.
All of this comes as thousands of resident doctors are set to go on strike from December 17 to 22 putting further pressure on hospitals in the run up to Christmas.
Dr Trevor Smith, regional medical director for NHS England South West, said: “The rapid jump in people in hospital with flu in the last week is a real concern.
“This surge in cases is earlier than usual and confirms our fears that we could experience our worst flu season in years, just as we hit our busiest time over the Christmas and New Year period.
“That’s why it’s so important for eligible people to come forward now to get their free flu vaccination to protect themselves but also help protect the loved ones they might celebrate within the coming weeks.”