UK: operations cancelled as NHS battles to contain flu emergency

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1,000 operations cancelled as NHS battles to contain 'flu emergency'

Exclusive by Crook. January 06, 2011

More than a thousand operations are being cancelled across Greater Manchester

after hospitals declared a flu emergency.

Health bosses are desperately trying to free-up medics to look after the growing

number of patients fighting for their lives with both swine flu and seasonal

flu.

Patients waiting for major operations – including heart surgery – were being

urgently contacted and told they face a delay.

Emergencies and some minor procedures will still go ahead. There are usually 119

critical care beds in the region's hospitals. The freeze on ops is expected to

provide enough doctors and nurses to staff more than 200 beds.

Latest figures show that 47 people are in critical care with flu in Greater

Manchester, up from 27 in critical care last week. Twelve people have already

died in Greater Manchester.

Trafford and Manchester have the highest number of people suffering from flu

generally – above average levels for the time of year.

An NHS North West spokesman said: " This is part of the escalation plans we have

in place to respond to fluctuations in demand, so that we can make additional

critical care beds available and ensure that there is sufficient critical care

capacity for emergency cases.

" Appointments will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity. "

All hospitals in Greater Manchester are affected, including Manchester Royal

Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, North Manchester General and the Royal Oldham.

Trafford General bosses have opened an extra 40 medical beds and doubled their

critical care capacity to eight. They have cancelled the majority of their

operations.

Morag Olsen, from the hospital, said: " We hope people will appreciate that we

have to prioritise critically ill patients.

" We have well-established plans for increasing the number of critical care beds

and medical beds to cope with unusually high levels of demand like this and

these plans are now being implemented.

" Our staff are working flexibly to ensure that the high number of medical

patients receive the best possible care and I would like to thank them for their

professionalism. "

The Royal Bolton Hospital has postponed all non-life threatening operations this

week as it cares for high numbers of patients who need to be admitted with

urgent medical conditions. The hospital has also opened 65 extra beds including

two intensive care beds bringing the total to ten. The government has admitted

some parts of England are short of flu vaccines and is considering bringing in

more stocks from Europe.

A Department of Health spokeswoman insisted there was no national shortage but

admitted some areas were experiencing ` local supply issues.'

Health minister Lansley, on a visit to Greater Manchester, said the NHS

had the situation under control. He said: " We are concerned but we are prepared

for it. I do not think it is fair to say that hospitals are at breaking point. "

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