Wexham Park and Heatherwood hospitals urge masks amid record flu admissions

A ‘sharp rise’ in flu cases has prompted a requirement for staff, patients, and visitors to wear face masks on wards at Wexham Park Hospital and Heatherwood Hospital.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospitals, said the number of patients with flu in the southeast has doubled over the past two weeks.

Around 200 people were in hospital each day in our region since the start of December, up 51 per cent on the previous week.

The latest NHS England data released yesterday (Thursday) shows 200 more people were admitted in the last week compared to the same period a year ago.

A third of acute trusts in the southeast, including Frimley, have implemented mask-wearing in their hospitals in response to the rising cases.

Respiratory consultant at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Gareth Roberts, said: "We always expect an increase in flu cases at this time of year, but we've seen a sharp rise much earlier this season and the number has doubled in the last two weeks.

“We are now advising all of our staff, patients and visitors to wear masks across our hospital sites - these steps are not something we take lightly, but it is very important for us to be able to protect our patients and staff and minimise the risk of transmission."

The government previously warned that the flu season had begun earlier than usual in the UK and had not yet reached its peak.

Flu vaccination clinics are being run across the South East, and with the rise in flu-related hospital admissions, all eligible people are urged to make an appointment to get their vaccination through their GP or local community pharmacy.

Dr Christopher Tibbs, Medical Director for the NHS in the South East, said: “The number of patients we’re seeing in our hospitals with flu is extremely high for this time of year, and we still don’t know when that number will reach its peak.

“Staff right across the NHS are working incredibly hard in difficult circumstances to provide the best possible care for patients, but we absolutely need you to play your part too.

“Please get your flu jab as soon as possible if you haven’t had it already – there's still time to be protected in time for Christmas.

“Please consider wearing a mask if you’re visiting a loved one in the hospital, even if the hospital is not requiring you to, as it may just play a small part in helping keep transmission to a minimum.

“And please continue to think about which NHS services are best for your needs – think whether your local pharmacy, 111 online or your GP practice may be best rather than attending a busy Emergency Department, which is there for the very sickest.”