NHS in East of England face tough time as demand rises

New figures reveal that the region's NHS is facing a challenging run up to the new year, with a steep increase in demand for services.

Last week, an average of 207 patients per day were hospitalised with flu in the East of England, marking an increase of more than 59 per cent compared to the previous week.

This comes as A&E departments and ambulance services continue to face high demand.

November saw more than 233,000 A&E attendances at hospitals in the East of England.

There were also 6,857 more ambulance incidents compared to the same month last year, prompting the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust to move to its highest escalation level due to sustained demand and delays handing patients over at hospitals.

Adam Cayley, chief operating officer for the NHS in the East of England, said: "With already high demand across the East of England’s A&E departments and on ambulance services, along with another impending resident doctors’ strike, this climb in flu cases means the NHS in the East of England is facing the prospect of a tough run up to the new year – with staff under pressure to keep providing the best possible care for patients."

As the strain on the region’s NHS continues, it is preparing for a five-day planned industrial action by resident doctors, set to begin at 7am on December 17.

This has raised fears of major disruption for patients in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Cayley further urged the public to make use of alternatives to A&E for non-life-threatening conditions.

He added: "As ever, anyone needing non-life-threatening care should call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place – and use A&E and 999 for life-threatening conditions and serious injuries."

People eligible for flu vaccination are urged to get their jab as soon as possible, with figures showing more than 2.2 million people have already been vaccinated in the East of England this year.