The rise in people with flu being admitted to hospital in England quadrupled last month with at least a dozen hospitals declaring critical incidents. Other pressures on the NHS include Covid, norovirus and chronic issues such as a lack of available beds.
Health services issue critical incident declarations when their services become so overwhelmed they struggle to deliver critical services, risking patient safety. Hospitals in Birmingham, Cornwall, Hampshire, Liverpool, Northamptonshire and Plymouth are among those affected.
We want to hear from patients who have experienced flu this winter and what it has been like getting treatment. Were there long waiting times at your local A&E? If you required an ambulance, were you able to get one or did you have to make your own way in? We’re also interested in hearing from health workers and their experience.