West Country hospitals under pressure amid a rise in winter flu
Mask-wearing is being reintroduced in hospitals across the area
Increasing rates of winter flu are causing challenges for hospitals in Bath, with ward closures and staff absences adding to the pressure.
Mask-wearing is being reintroduced in hospitals across the area in an effort to limit further spread of infections.
Free NHS flu vaccinations are still available at pharmacies and GP practices for those eligible, such as people aged over 65 and anyone with a weakened immune system. Hundreds of appointments are offered each week to help boost immunity levels in the community.
Connie Timmins, Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, emphasised the importance of vaccination:
“Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to keep vulnerable people safe, but our hospitals will only feel the impact of increased levels of immunity in a couple of weeks’ time, when the vaccination has had time to fully take effect.
"What makes a real difference right now, however, is for any person who has symptoms of flu, or any other infectious condition, such as norovirus and Covid-19, to stay at home until feeling better, as going out and about – especially to hospitals, GP practices or pharmacies – risks passing the virus on to others, including our frontline health and care teams.”
Planned strike action
The already-busy NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire is also preparing for possible disruption caused by five consecutive days of strike action.
Resident doctors at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, and Salisbury District Hospital are voting on whether to proceed with industrial action following a last-minute government resolution proposal.
If the strikes go ahead, the walkout would begin at 7am on Wednesday 17th December and end at the same time on Monday 22nd December.
The expected impact could lead to significant disruption, particularly to pre-planned activities like outpatient appointments and routine surgeries. With hospitals already under pressure during the winter, local people are being urged to work with the NHS wherever possible to mitigate disruption.