Tag: surge in flu cases

NHS Lothian to introduce flu prevention measures in hospitals

NHS Lothian is taking some urgent precautions to help protect patients and staff against flu this winter.

A surge in flu cases is being anticipated in Lothian, similar to those already identified across Scotland and the UK.

To prepare and protect, all staff are being urged to get vaccinated and to wear face masks in front door and high-risk areas, such as Intensive Care or cancer wards, in a bid to stop the spread.

Visitors are still very welcome in hospitals, but NHS Lothian is also asking for help to minimise the risk of transmission between the community and hospital to protect some of the most vulnerable patients.

Relatives and friends are being asked not to visit if they have a temperature, flu-like symptoms or any vomiting or diarrhoea symptoms.

From 8am on Monday December 15, they are also being asked to reduce the numbers of visitors to one or two and where possible not to bring children under the age of 12 into hospital for visiting.

Visitors and those attending hospital for outpatient appointments are also being encouraged to consider wearing a mask or face covering, and use the hand gel provided.

Point of care testing will also continue in the Emergency Department for children’s and adult services to identify patients who have flu and ensure they are cared for in isolation or with other patients with flu on admission to hospital.

Michelle Carr, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said: “We are monitoring the situation across Scotland and the UK very closely and we are keen to take some actions to protect our patients, staff and services to help minimise the effects of flu.

“Vaccination is the first line of defence against flu. If you are eligible, we would urge you to make an appointment as soon as possible.

“We are also taking some common sense steps to protect our hospitals, our patients and our teams. We are asking visitors not to come if they are feeling unwell, to reduce the size of their visiting party and not to bring children under the age of 12. Members of the public should consider wearing a face covering or mask when attending our hospitals.

“These steps will help us reduce the spread of flu and protect our lifesaving services so they are there for those who need them most.”

For information on visiting go to: Visitors – Going to Hospital

A&Es ‘in crisis’ amid winter freeze and flu admission surge

Emergency Departments in Scotland are struggling against the combined pressures of extreme weather and a rise in hospital admissions from flu.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has described the country’s health service as being “in the depth of a winter crisis” as Scotland braces itself against snow and ice.

Yesterday, after coming under increasing pressure regarding the condition of Emergency Care in Scotland, Health Secretary Neil Gray said A&E demands had been “exacerbated by higher than normal levels of influenza infection in the community”. Data released last week showed hospital admissions caused by flu increased by 12% in a week.

The Health Secretary’s comments come as data released yesterday by Public Health Scotland revealed last November 6,429 patients waited 12 hours or more in Emergency Departments – the highest proportion of 12 hour waits for any November since records began in 2011.

Dr Fiona Hunter, Vice Chair of RCEM Scotland said: “Today’s data, and every previous month’s data, shows just how much pressure Scottish EDs were under coming into this winter.

“The system was already under extreme pressure, and this huge flu surge and cold spell are likely to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

“But it cannot – and must not – be blamed as the sole cause of the crisis we are currently experiencing.

“My colleagues are working flat out in very difficult conditions with some departments nearing 400% capacity- four times as many patients as there are cubicle spaces for. We are running on hard work and goodwill, and our patients are receiving unacceptable, undignified and unsafe care in corridors and in the back of ambulances.

“The main issue is that we can’t move our patients who desperately need admission to a hospital bed in to wards or high dependency units. These wards have the highest level ever known of patients who are ready to be discharged but have no available social support to allow them to do so.

“We are predictably gridlocked, in the depth of a winter crisis, and our patients and staff are the ones suffering.”