Tens of thousands of NHS staff off sick as norovirus puts strain on hospitals

More than 49,000 NHS staff were off sick each day last week as rising norovirus cases put extra strain on hospitals.

NHS England data released on Thursday shows an average of 1,094 patients were in hospital with norovirus each day last week, with more hospitals continuously running "near capacity".

This is slightly down from 1,134 the week before, but more than double the figure for the same period last year (470).

While flu levels in hospitals are continuing to fall, they also remain higher than at this point in previous years.

An average of 1,546 patients were in hospital with flu last week, including 74 in critical care. This is a slight decrease from the previous week (1,656) but still 16% higher than the same period the previous year (1,333).

With norovirus - also known as the winter vomiting bug - the flu, and several other winter viruses spreading, sickness in NHS staff also remains high.

What impact is this having?

Last week, there were around 49,223 staff absences per day - 8% higher than at the same point last year.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the NHS National Medical Director, said staff are “working tirelessly” and urged the public to wash their hands frequently with soap and water.

He said: "Despite the sunnier weather this week showing some early signs of Spring, these latest figures show winter is certainly not over for NHS staff who are continuing to work tirelessly to treat thousands of patients with norovirus and other nasty winter viruses each day.

“Last month, the NHS lost almost 44,000 bed days to norovirus, adding to already incredibly pressured bed occupancy levels and with flu, RSV and staff absences all up on last year, we are certainly not out of the woods yet."

Meanwhile, an average of 13,430 hospital beds per day were filled last week in England with patients who were fit to be discharged.

This is up from 13,017 the previous week, but is below the winter peak of 14,087 in early February.

Nearly half of these patients have been in hospital for more than three weeks, due to delays in discharging people to settings such as social or community care, NHS England said.

What should you do if you have symptoms?

The main symptoms of norovirus usually include feeling sick, being sick, and diarrhoea, and they usually start suddenly, according to the NHS.

Other symptoms include a high temperature, headaches, tummy pain and body aches.

Symptoms should start to ease in two to three days, and you can usually treat it at home.

Staying hydrated and getting lots of rest are important to help you recover.

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To avoid spreading norovirus, NHS England is urging people to wash their hands frequently with soap and water and, if they're unwell, to avoid mixing with people until they have not had symptoms for two days.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting thanked NHS staff for their “tireless work” in the face of winter pressures, adding: “While the latest figures point to slight easing in certain areas, the health service remains under considerable strain.

“To ease the burden of seasonal pressures this year, we have delivered more than 29 million vaccinations and ended the damaging strikes, keeping doctors on the front line, rather than the picket line.”

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