The NHS is under huge pressure at it continues to struggle under the stain of winter illnesses, health bosses have warned. People in the north west are being urged to use the NHS wisely as GP practices and A&E departments continue to see increased demand amid high levels of norovirus, flu, and other winter illnesses.
January and February are typically the busiest months for the NHS, where hospitals and GPs experience intense pressures. The latest national data shows the number of people hospitalised with norovirus hit its highest level so far last week (week ending 19 January), with an average of 898 people a day in hospital with the virus.
The numbers of people in hospital with flu and Covid-19 have also remained high, with an average of 3,019 flu patients in hospital each day last week compared with 2,226 the same week last year.
GP Dr Paula Cowan, NHS England North West Regional Medical Director for Primary Care, is telling the public to use NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for health advice to manage symptoms, get any treatment needed and avoid becoming more seriously unwell.