Hospital trust issues warning over winter flu

North West NHS bosses have issued a winter flu warning as cases and hospital admissions rise in the lead up to Christmas.

They said the region was facing an unprecedented wave with the latest data showing an average of 295 people were in hospital last week with flu - more than double the number during the same week last year.

The warning comes just days after the Royal Blackburn Hospital apologised for long queues at its emergency department.

An East Lancashire Hospitals Trust spokesperson said it was inundated with very poorly patients.

The trust said there were more appropriate services available for many patients, including pharmacies, GPs, Burnley General Teaching Hospital's urgent treatment centre, and the minor injuries unit at Accrington Acorn Centre, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The regional director of commissioning for NHS England in the North West, Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, said the latest data "really does confirm our fears that we could be experiencing the worst flu season in recent years".

"With the first wave of flu hitting the NHS more than a month earlier than usual, it really is important to come forward now for the free flu vaccination and get this important protection and to avoid becoming seriously ill," she said.

She said the flu vaccine was also helped reduce pressure on hospitals and NHS staff.

NHS England regional medical director for primary care Dr Paula Cowan urged those eligible to get vaccinated ahead of any family get-togethers over the festive period.

"Every Christmas we see far too many older adults and children admitted to hospital because of flu," she said.

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