NHS hit by 'double whammy' of rising flu and Covid cases

LEADING DOCTOR WARNS OF INCREASING PRESSURE ON STAFF

- SOPHIE HALLE-RICHARDS & THOMAS MOLLOY

A LEADING doctor said that the ‘double whammy’ of rising Covid-19 and flu cases is putting the NHS under mounting pressure.

The Greater Manchester GP, who wished to remain anonymous, told the M.E.N. that hospitals are ‘extremely busy’ and struggling for beds. It comes after NHS bosses in our region urged patients to only call 999 or attend A&E in a ‘life-threatening’ emergency.

He said: “Flu and Covid is increasing and that’s infecting the staff as well, along with patients so that’s a double whammy. It’s not to the scale of the pandemic yet but it’s having an effect.”

Another doctor revealed ‘exhausted’ staff are battling illness and has been struck by the number of ‘extremely sick’ young flu patients who have needed ventilation.

The Manchester-based healthcare professional added: “There are still high rates of staff sickness and many emergency departments are overcrowded. As a result of crowded hospital wards, there are delays in discharging patients who have met clinical criteria for discharge but can’t leave because of lack of social care.