Nanny State NHS tells Brits to ‘avoid granny’ this Christmas in desperate bid to ease hospital crisis

Urgent warning as thousands of Britons in hospital after spike in flu cases

Britons are being urged not to mix with vulnerable elderly relatives at Christmas if they are not feeling well in a bid to keep people out of hospital.

The NHS has seen a sharp rise in flu cases and hospitalizations as medical chiefs warn the public to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Following a series of strikes, the health service is bracing for its “darkest” holiday season as it grapples with a rise in flu and a bed lockdown crisis.

According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), flu rates are highest in children aged five to 14 years.

But hospital and intensive care admission rates are also up compared to last week, with the main increase being seen in adults 85 and older.

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programs at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “We are seeing an increase in cases and hospital admissions for both influenza and covid-19 as people continue to mingle indoors this winter.

“Both COVID-19 and the flu can cause serious illness or even death in the most vulnerable people in our communities, so it’s also important to avoid contact with others if you’re unwell to help stop the spread of infections during Christmas and Christmas”. period of one year”.

Ambulance delivery delays at A&E are currently the worst on record and inquiries to the 111 NHS helpline have hit an all-time high.

Eight in 10 ambulances were delayed or failed to arrive during industrial action by ambulance workers earlier this week and thousands of operations and appointments were affected by nurses’ strikes.

NHS chiefs have warned that the service is expected to monitor an “unsafe” number of patients on wards alongside a “skeleton” of staff.

Saffron Cordery, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “Trusted leaders expect this Christmas to be one of the darkest yet.”

Hospital wards across England now have 2,515 infected patients, including 186 in intensive care.

Dr Susan Hopkins, UKHSA’s chief medical adviser, said: “Hospitalizations have increased dramatically in people aged 75 and over in the last week, and admissions among children under 5 remain high. ICU admissions have also increased this week.

“NHS services are already under pressure, so it’s more important than ever to protect yourself with the flu vaccine and help keep you out of hospital.”

Experts have also warned members of the public about the flu-like “super cold” that millions of people across the country seem to change.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS chief medical officer, said: “In addition to the impact of industrial action, it is clear that the NHS faces enormous pressure ahead of Christmas with the number of flu cases in hospital and in intensive care rising weeks after week. -week.

“This is on top of significant increases in staff illness rates and near-record demand for services like 111.

“With more industry action scheduled for next week, there will be disruption, but we urge the public to continue to use services wisely.”