UK: 607 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 55 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

'Unprecedented' number of swine flu cases in west Hertfordshire fill Watford hospital beds

Hospital services in Watford are under ?significant pressure? as doctors treat an ?unprecedented? number of suspected cases of swine flu in west Hertfordshire.

Beds across the country are filling up with victims of the H1N1 virus, while official figures show more than 39 people have died from the illness since October.

Watford General Hospital, in Vicarage Road, currently has 19 patients on its wards with confirmed or suspected swine flu, with seven in intensive care.

Natalie Forrest, director of nursing at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: ?The severe weather conditions over the past few weeks combined with the usual winter illnesses and the combination of long bank holidays is putting significant pressure on the trust.

?We currently have 19 patients with confirmed or suspected swine flu admitted to Watford General, seven of which are requiring intensive care. This is an increase from 5 patients last week, which is putting considerable demand on the service.

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/8769140._Unprecedented__number_of_swine_flu_cases_fill_hospital_beds/

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 55 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Source: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/health/h...ssure_1_766507

Hospitals still feeling pressure
By KIM BRISCOE, Health correspondent Tuesday, 4 January, 2011
18:13 PM

The James Paget University Hospital, in Gorleston, has been on black alert since New Year?s Eve and has been forced to cancel some scheduled operations because of a lack of beds.

A spokesman for the hospital said: ?Demand remains much higher than expected for this time of year and the continuing black alert status reflects this. The alert is due to the full range of pressures that all hospitals come under at this time of year as we deal with an increase in health problems associated with the colder weather...

...Both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King?s Lynn and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital remain on ?red? status - one step lower than black.

Dr Geoff Hunnam, medical director at the QEH, said: ?We have been very busy over Christmas and the New Year. We have had lots of sick patients with respiratory symptoms and currently we are pretty short of befs and have cancelled some elective surgery...

...The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds does not use the colour-coded system but a spokesman for the hospital said: ?We are very busy, but our winter plans are helping us to cope and we are not turning anybody away.?

Cambridge?s Addenbrooke?s Hospital, which treats patients from Norfolk and Suffolk for some rarer conditions, is also on black alert, but said today that it was still ?business as usual?.

An Addenbrooke?s spokesman said: ?Like other hospitals across the country, we are seeing an increase in the number of patients with flu - but Addenbrooke?s is operating as usual.

[kiwibird]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Staff stunned by academy head's death

Sudden death ... Paula Williams.

Published Date:
04 January 2011
By Leah Strug
THE much-respected head of South Tyneside's first-ever academy has died.
Paula Williams, principal of Whitburn C of E Academy, passed away yesterday in Sunderland Royal Hospital after contracting pneumonia during the holidays.
...
"She passed away peacefully in Sunderland Royal Hospital after contracting pneumonia during the Christmas holiday."

Miss Williams became headteacher of the then-Whitburn Comprehensive School in Easter 1999.
...
Full Story: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/S...ads.6678992.jp
A very sad loss for this school and community.

[NS1]

Black Alert Categories?

Source: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/health/h...ssure_1_766507

Hospitals still feeling pressure
By KIM BRISCOE, Health correspondent Tuesday, 4 January, 2011
18:13 PM

The James Paget University Hospital, in Gorleston, has been on black alert since New Year’s Eve and has been forced to cancel some scheduled operations because of a lack of beds.

A spokesman for the hospital said: “Demand remains much higher than expected for this time of year and the continuing black alert status reflects this. The alert is due to the full range of pressures that all hospitals come under at this time of year as we deal with an increase in health problems associated with the colder weather...

...Both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital remain on “red” status - one step lower than black.

Dr Geoff Hunnam, medical director at the QEH, said: “We have been very busy over Christmas and the New Year. We have had lots of sick patients with respiratory symptoms and currently we are pretty short of befs and have cancelled some elective surgery...

...The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds does not use the colour-coded system but a spokesman for the hospital said: “We are very busy, but our winter plans are helping us to cope and we are not turning anybody away.”

Cambridge’s Addenbrooke’s Hospital, which treats patients from Norfolk and Suffolk for some rarer conditions, is also on black alert, but said today that it was still “business as usual”.

An Addenbrooke’s spokesman said: “Like other hospitals across the country, we are seeing an increase in the number of patients with flu - but Addenbrooke’s is operating as usual.

Perhaps someone should begin a cumulative thread of hospitals on alert?

Should the "Black Alert" have two sub-categories for normal "Black Alert" and for "business as usual" "Black Alert"?

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Swine flu crisis: Just three out of 119 intensive care beds free in Greater ManchesterExclusive by Alice McKeegan

January 05, 2011

...

Critical care beds across Greater Manchester are near breaking point as hospitals battle to cope with a surge in swine flu victims.

...

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/health/s/1404304_swine_flu_crisis_just_three_out_of_119_intensive_care_beds_free_in_greater_manchester

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Hospital Trust "coping well" with flu cases

The hospital trust which runs the Rochdale Infirmary says it is ?coping well? with the increasing number of flu cases it is dealing with.

There are concerns about the number of critical care beds available but the trust said this is something which changes on a daily basis.

The main strands of flu circulating this winter are Influenza B and H1N1 flu (swine flu).
At least 12 people have died from flu in Greater Manchester.

...

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/51223/hospital-trust-coping-well-with-flu-cases

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

BRIDPORT: Flu cases on the up

FLU cases in Bridport are on the rise but have not reached epidemic levels according to the Dorset County Council.

NHS Dorset have stated that the levels of flu are in keeping with the winter season but admitted that the H1N1 Swine Flu virus was one of the common strains of flu across the county this year.

The Swine Flu virus has hit national headlines again this winter having been responsible for 36 of the 39 flu related deaths in the UK in 2010.

A further 12 people were killed by the virus last week and in all but one case the victim was under the age of 65, in four of the cases the victim was under five.

A number of swine flu cases have been diagnosed in Bridport but both the county council and the NHS have denied any variation from winter trends.

A Dorset County Council spokesman said that they were anticipating a further rise in flu cases when schools return this week.

..

http://www.viewfrompublishing.co.uk/news_view/8209/2/1/bridport-flu-cases-on-the-up

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Source: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/new...2746-27936165/

Twenty people now seriously ill with swine flu
Jan 5 2011

MORE than 20 patients are now being treated for swine flu at hospitals in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Fourteen patients at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton have been put into isolation.

Twelve are being treated in access-controlled side wards with suspected swine flu in the main hospital while two others have been confirmed as having the virus and are in the Intensive Care Unit.

A further five people with swine flu are critically ill at University Hospital in Walsgrave, Coventry and two patients are seriously ill with the virus at Warwick Hospital...

...Funeral of Coventry swine flu victim tomorrow

THE funeral takes place tomorrow of Keresley businessman Paul Stokes, who had been receiving treatment for swine flu.

He died, aged 58, at University Hospital, Walsgrave, on Christmas Day, after being admitted with suspected pneumonia...

[Vibrant62]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

No special flu plans advised as schools reopen
By Stephen Robinson, 04 January 2011

No special arrangements are necessary for GPs to deal with rising flu consultations, the DoH said, despite the high rate of swine flu among children as many schools reopen.
Add to CPD Organiser Be the first to comment
Cases of swine flu in the 2009/10 pandemic peaked in the weeks after schools reopened following the summer break. In the current flu season, rates of swine flu are now highest among children aged 5-14.

The most recent HPA figures show that calls to NHS Direct about fever in the 5-14 age group are at 16.8%, above the baseline level of 9%.

The DoH said it would not speculate on whether a surge in cases of swine flu was likely among schoolchildren. A spokeswoman said GPs were aware of schools reopening and the department was not recommending that any special arrangements be put in place.

RCGP immunisation lead Dr George Kassianos said: 'Going by previous experience, we tend to see an increase in patients contracting influenza when the schools open. We should, therefore, expect to see an increase in consultations for young children as they return to nurseries and schools.'

HPA data show GP consultations are above baseline rates in all four UK countries. So far 39 deaths associated with influenza infection have been reported. But the agency said a recent fall in the number of contacts with NHS Direct suggests the peak of the flu season may be approaching.

Last week health secretary Andrew Lansley relaunched the Catch it, Bin it, Kill it awareness campaign after criticism for dropping the scheme for this flu season.

He said: 'To help ease pressures on the NHS I want to remind people what we can all do to prevent the spread of flu. The first line of defence against flu is to be vaccinated ? I urge everyone in an at risk group who hasn?t been vaccinated to contact their GP and book an appointment.'

http://www.gponline.com/bulletin/daily_news/article/1047739/no-special-flu-plans-advised-schools-reopen/

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Source: http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/new...rrerPath=news/

* Whitehaven News
* News

Extra intensive care beds are opened to cope with flu

By Gillian Ellison

Published at 15:55, Wednesday, 05 January 2011

EXTRA intensive care beds have been opened at West Cumberland Hospital as a result of the increase in admissions of people with suspected swine flu or flu-like symptoms.

It is also understood that some routine operations have had to be postponed.

Hospitals nationally have been under pressure in caring for the increasing number of people who are ill with flu.

Local health chiefs say it is not an unusual situation for this time of the year, that the picture is a similar one nationally and that there is no reason for the public to panic.

Earlier in the week there were said to be five patients at the West Cumberland Hospital in intensive care with flu-like symptoms and three at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. But further detailed figures are not being released due to the fluctuating situation.

Last Thursday the number of patients said to be in critical care beds in hospitals across Cumbria and Lancashire due to flu-like illnesses was 25...

...Dr Nigel Calvert, associate director of public health for NHS Cumbria, said current flu levels were within what could be considered normal for the time of year.

?There are people in hospital in Carlisle and West Cumbria and there have been more cases than in the last couple of years, but it?s within seasonal limits,? said Dr Calvert...

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Source: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/new...l_beds/?ref=mr

'Unprecedented' number of swine flu cases in west Hertfordshire fill Watford hospital beds

6:23pm Tuesday 4th January 2011
* By Michael Pickard »


Hospital services in Watford are under “significant pressure” as doctors treat an “unprecedented” number of suspected cases of swine flu in west Hertfordshire...

Watford General Hospital, in Vicarage Road, currently has 19 patients on its wards with confirmed or suspected swine flu, with seven in intensive care...

“...We currently have 19 patients with confirmed or suspected swine flu admitted to Watford General, seven of which are requiring intensive care. This is an increase from 5 patients last week, which is putting considerable demand on the service.

“However, the situation is being constantly assessed and patient safety remains our number one priority. Despite many hospital staff also off sick with seasonal illness, we are working incredibly hard to cope with the unprecedented demand and to help ensure everyone gets the right help they need.”

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-euro...rnsey-12121381

5 January 2011 Last updated at 10:55 ET
Flu outbreak cancels operations in Guernsey
Princess Elizabeth Hospital The department said patients would be prioritised according to clinical need

An outbreak of flu has forced Guernsey's Princess Elizabeth Hospital to cancel a number of operations...

...The department said the move followed a rise in the demand for beds, and staff shortages caused by sickness...

There are two confirmed cases of swine flu in the island, a woman in in her 20s and a man in his 50s, both of whom have been described as "recovering well".

[TrueScotsman]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Almost Two Million Off Sick - And Rising Fast

The headline statistic is a total workforce sick-list today of 1.91 million - a rise of almost 100,000 on Tuesday.

The largest contributing factor to the figure was coughs, colds or flu - blamed by 302,000 people today.

That is an increase of 27,000 on Tuesday.

Five percent of absences were for non-medical reasons, such as child care.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Work-Absences-Hit-Almost-Two-Million-After-Xmas-Break---Flu-Outbreak-Among-The-Factors/Article/201101115880446?lpos=Business_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15880446_Work_Absences_Hit_Almost_Two_Million_After_Xmas_Break_-_Flu_Outbreak_Among_The_Factors

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

People fight for their lives as swine flu toll increases


INTENSIVE care units in Worcestershire hospitals are filling up with people fighting for their lives against suspected swine flu.

Health bosses declined to confirm how many patients in intensive care units were suffering from flu-like symptoms at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, but said numbers were rising.

In a joint statement issued yesterday by NHS Worcestershire, which holds the purse strings for county healthcare and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages county hospitals, a spokesman said they could not give a figure for the number of patients in intensive care with suspected flu because it was ?changing all the time?.

Neither organisation could provide figures about how many members of the public had been vaccinated but said 2,148 staff had been vaccinated.

...

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/8769161.People_fight_for_their_lives_as_swine_flu_toll_increases/

[tetano]

Re: UK: Reports of Approximately 57 Deaths and 800+ Patients in intensive care (39 deaths confirmed by HPA as for Dec. 30 2010) due to influenza

Suffolk woman dies after catching swine flu

A 32-year-old woman from Suffolk has died after being admitted to hospital with swine flu.

Sarah Applin, of Thurston, died on Tuesday at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds where she developed complications with pneumonia.

Her son William had been delivered by caesarean section just before Christmas and is currently in the special care baby unit.

Her family have urged vulnerable people to have the flu vaccination.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-12121635