MORE than 50 patients are being treated for flu in critical care wards at North East hospitals, latest figures reveal.
It was confirmed by health bosses yesterday that many of the 57 patients have suspected or confirmed cases of the H1N1 swine flu virus.
Although the level of flu circulating in the community remains high, it has started to level off and NHS bosses have stressed only a small number of those affected become seriously ill.
Dr Tricia Cresswell, deputy medical director at NHS North East, said: “Although the NHS in the region is under pressure, not only from flu but from an increase in urgent admissions due to other conditions, the system is very well prepared and coping well.
“We are actively managing critical care on a day-to-day basis and additional capacity is in place to care for both flu patients and all others who are seriously ill and require urgent critical care.
“Unfortunately, this has resulted in some non-urgent operations being postponed as we care for those in need of immediate emergency treatment.”
NHS North East is reminding people what to do if they have suspected flu and to choose the right NHS service to help relieve pressure on busy hospital teams.
Bosses are urging people who think they may have flu to initially stay at home, rest and drink plenty of water and take paracetamol-based cold remedies.
For those whose symptoms persist, they are being to contact their GP and not go to their local hospital’s Accident and Emergency department.
The first line of defence against flu is vaccination and the region’s NHS is still urging those in an at risk group who have not yet been vaccinated to contact their GP and arrange an appointment.
Dr Cresswell added: “We still want to see vaccination rates increase further and would like to reassure people that we have enough vaccine for everyone who needs to be protected this winter.”
Nationally, 112 people with flu have died in the UK since September. Among those in critical care (intensive care and high dependency), 18 patients are under five and another eight are aged five to 15.
Of the 112 dead, 95 had swine flu and another five had flu type B. Another 12 deaths have not had their flu type confirmed.
But the number of people in critical care in England has fallen from 783 last week to 661.
The latest figures come a day after the mother of a three-year-old victim urged the Government to further review its vaccination policy.
Gemma Ameen and her husband, Zana, switched off life support to their daughter, Lana, just two days after she apparently caught a cold.
The Department of Health insisted independent expert advice was “absolutely clear” that children who do not have risk factors should not be vaccinated.
