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A REMINDER TO GET YOUR FLU VACCINATION!
Source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4074638.Flu_blamed_for_busy_mortuaries_and_crematoriums/
Flu blamed for busy Sussex mortuaries and crematoriums
10:40pm Sunday 25th January 2009
By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter ?
The high number of people dying because of a flu outbreak has left mortuaries and crematoriums busier than they have been for a decade.
Hundreds of people across Sussex have been buried or cremated since December with numbers significantly higher than during the same period last year.
The rise has been blamed on the flu and a flu-type virus which has been sweeping the county.
The bug has particularly affected vulnerable elderly people and others with long-term illnesses and conditions who have gone on to develop respiratory problems and complications.
The number of deaths often rises at this time of year but hospitals and councils have reported being much busier than usual.
In Worthing alone, there were 259 cremations in December and 306 so far in January.
This is a sharp rise on the 403 dealt with over the same period last year.
At one stage the mortuary at Worthing Hospital was almost full as the number of deaths increased.
A Worthing Borough Council spokeswoman said: "It has been the busiest we have seen it for the last ten years, although we have been able to cope.
"We carry out cremations five days a week and so far this year we have not had to have any extra on a Saturday."
The mortuaries at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Haywards Heath have also dealt with high numbers of patients.
Both hospitals have dealt with 159 deaths between them from January 1 to 20 this year.
Managers say if cases continue as they are, it will not be long before they pass last year's January total of 184.
Hospitals have been dealing with unprecedented numbers of emergency admissions as a result of the flu and exceptionally cold weather.
In the last three weeks, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Sussex and the PRH, dealt with an average of 628 emergency admissions a week compared to the more usual 590.
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "The winter months are traditionally a busier time for our Woodvale Crematorium but January has seen the highest number of funerals for at least eight years.
"However, unlike many crematoria Woodvale provides funeral services seven days a week, and we're coping with the current increase in funerals.
"The city mortuary, which we manage, is also coping with the increase in deaths.?
Eastbourne District General Hospital, dealt with 364 people in its mortuary between December 1 and January 21 this year compared to 300 the year before.
The flu outbreak has put increased pressure on hospitals with patients facing dozens of cancelled operations at the last minute because of bed shortages.
The Royal Sussex, Worthing Hospital and the DGH have also dealt with outbreaks of sickness and diarrhoea among patients, forcing them to close wards.
For more information about health in your area visit the local information section of this website.
Source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4074638.Flu_blamed_for_busy_mortuaries_and_crematoriums/
Flu blamed for busy Sussex mortuaries and crematoriums
10:40pm Sunday 25th January 2009
By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter ?
The high number of people dying because of a flu outbreak has left mortuaries and crematoriums busier than they have been for a decade.
Hundreds of people across Sussex have been buried or cremated since December with numbers significantly higher than during the same period last year.
The rise has been blamed on the flu and a flu-type virus which has been sweeping the county.
The bug has particularly affected vulnerable elderly people and others with long-term illnesses and conditions who have gone on to develop respiratory problems and complications.
The number of deaths often rises at this time of year but hospitals and councils have reported being much busier than usual.
In Worthing alone, there were 259 cremations in December and 306 so far in January.
This is a sharp rise on the 403 dealt with over the same period last year.
At one stage the mortuary at Worthing Hospital was almost full as the number of deaths increased.
A Worthing Borough Council spokeswoman said: "It has been the busiest we have seen it for the last ten years, although we have been able to cope.
"We carry out cremations five days a week and so far this year we have not had to have any extra on a Saturday."
The mortuaries at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Haywards Heath have also dealt with high numbers of patients.
Both hospitals have dealt with 159 deaths between them from January 1 to 20 this year.
Managers say if cases continue as they are, it will not be long before they pass last year's January total of 184.
Hospitals have been dealing with unprecedented numbers of emergency admissions as a result of the flu and exceptionally cold weather.
In the last three weeks, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Sussex and the PRH, dealt with an average of 628 emergency admissions a week compared to the more usual 590.
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "The winter months are traditionally a busier time for our Woodvale Crematorium but January has seen the highest number of funerals for at least eight years.
"However, unlike many crematoria Woodvale provides funeral services seven days a week, and we're coping with the current increase in funerals.
"The city mortuary, which we manage, is also coping with the increase in deaths.?
Eastbourne District General Hospital, dealt with 364 people in its mortuary between December 1 and January 21 this year compared to 300 the year before.
The flu outbreak has put increased pressure on hospitals with patients facing dozens of cancelled operations at the last minute because of bed shortages.
The Royal Sussex, Worthing Hospital and the DGH have also dealt with outbreaks of sickness and diarrhoea among patients, forcing them to close wards.
For more information about health in your area visit the local information section of this website.