Flu surge prompts winter warning from local NHS as pressure grows

Using the best service to help when you are ill can get you back on your feet sooner, as the local NHS tackles a surge in flu cases.

That’s the message from the area’s top doctor as health services locally gear up to support more people over the busy winter period.

Thanks to an early spike in flu cases this year, pressure on health services is already being felt, so Dr Matthew Sweeting, Executive Medical Director for NHS Mid and South Essex is calling on residents to avoid visiting hospitals for conditions that could be treated elsewhere.

“We have robust plans in place to manage the extra pressure this winter, however, our local healthcare system is already under strain, and we need the public to play their part.

“Please use the right service for your needs – local pharmacies are available to provide health advice and treatments for minor illnesses, GPs are available to help with persistent illnesses, and NHS 111 is available 24/7 to direct you to the right service if you need urgent help.

“Using the right service for your needs will help us keep emergency care available for those who need it most and means you can be on the road to recovery much quicker.”

Dr Matthew Sweeting, Executive Medical Director, NHS Mid and South Essex

Dr Sweeting’s call to action comes as this year’s flu season has arrived weeks earlier than usual, driven by a new strain of flu. This surge is causing more pressure on local hospitals and emergency departments, with rising cases of flu and other respiratory illnesses that need intensive support.

Dr Sweeting is also urging people who are most at risk of getting seriously ill with flu to come forward for their vaccinations. Latest figures reveal hundreds of thousands of residents eligible for the free flu vaccine are still unvaccinated as winter pressures grow.

Less than half of all residents who are eligible for the free flu vaccine (48%) have been vaccinated. The vaccination rates are also very low for residents who are clinically at higher risk of serious illness from flu, including adults and children with long-term health conditions or weakened immune systems.

“Flu can be extremely serious, especially for people with long-term conditions or weakened immune systems. With cases rising earlier this year, we are concerned by the number of eligible people who have not yet been vaccinated. Taking up the offer now will help protect you, your family, and the wider community during the busiest months of the year.

Dr Matthew Sweeting, Executive Medical Director, NHS Mid and South Essex

Eligible residents are encouraged to book as soon as possible. Anyone unsure about whether they qualify can check the NHS website or speak to their GP, pharmacy, or health visitor.