Measures taken to prepare for surge in flu hospital admissions

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Measures are being taken to prepare for a surge of hospital and intensive care admissions due to flu, the head of the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said.

Concern has been expressed about a rise in admissions, with 869 in hospital with flu on Sunday compared to 530 a week previously.

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said: “We expect the number to reach around 900 in the coming week and are taking several measures to prepare for the potential surge in hospitalisations and intensive care admissions due to the flu.

“The intensive care capacity is currently managing, with 323 available beds and 300 people in ICU, though not all of them are flu cases, but the flu adds pressure to the wider system.

“Between 20th and 27th of December, 34,400 people attended emergency departments, an increase on 27,800 for the same week last year, 8,500 patients were admitted compared to 7,800 for the same period last year yet we have fewer people on trolleys.

“Record discharges over the course of this seven-day period is keeping the system to some degree stable.”

Mr Gloster said the overall patient flow system is moving better than in winter 2023.

He said: “The healthcare system is focusing on every lever to keep the patient flow system moving and keep everyone safe.

“To respond to the increase in demand, the healthcare system has ramped up measures in the community, including longer GP opening hours and increased out-of-hours services.”

The HSE is also asking people to stay at home if they have flu symptoms.