‘There were clear warnings’: Readers on the NHS ‘flunami’ crisis

Independent Readers say it’s no surprise the NHS has been hit by a ‘flu’; A spike in flu cases prompted health secretary Wes Streeting to warn the service was close to collapse.

Many have argued that years of underinvestment, delayed vaccines and an overstretched workforce have left the system dangerously exposed.

The comments came after Streeting admitted he was “really scared” for patient safety if junior doctors’ strike went ahead next week, amid a 55 per cent weekly rise in flu cases.

Some readers said the crisis had long been predicted, pointing to Australia’s warnings about a deadlier strain.

Others highlighted the lack of spare capacity in the NHS, saying hospitals were now paying the price for a system run “on a shoestring” basis, with too few beds and chronic staff shortages.

As industrial action looms, some have focused on the pressures junior doctors face, saying they are undervalued, overworked and burdened with debt despite years of training, while others have argued the situation is being politicized when the focus should be on clear public health advice.

There was broad consensus that urgent action was needed: readers were calling for vaccinations, mask-wearing, better hygiene and measures to ease the pressure on A&E as flu admissions accelerate.

Here’s what you need to say:

Very late

When I had my flu jab last week the pharmacy told me that the NHS had not done enough and was too late in giving the vaccine. This wouldn’t be the first time. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had to wait until Christmas or later to get a flu shot.

As with later strains of Covid, invitations are distributed en masse and vaccines are given to younger and less vulnerable people first. By the time I was able to make an appointment for over 70s and over 75s it was too late so I didn’t bother. The pharmacist said most of the people rushing in were in their 40s and younger and were very vulnerable.

Kitty

Assistant doctors are undervalued

It is interesting that the health service is so dependent on so-called interns, that is, assistant doctors.

I think it can be, or was, relatively cheap labor and easy to exploit.

Although there have been some wage increases in the last few years, their values ​​have fallen in real terms since 2008.

The last time junior doctors’ salaries rose steadily in real terms was in the late nineties!

And that’s for professionals, most of whom train for six to eight years (some longer) and reach their 30s, earning the same salary as an 18-year-old Met officer fresh out of police school.

Junior doctors have huge debts after their training, many over a hundred thousand dollars, unless they come from a wealthy background.

They work 24/7, they often live at work, so they ‘reside’, and are completely underestimated by the State, as we see now when we have emergencies like flu and Covid.

stillaardvark2

No glitches in the system

Flu will always be a problem in the winter months, but the NHS (which I support) has been run without any slack in the system for many years in the name of “efficiency” management (i.e. doing more while making ends meet). Unless the British accept that services must be paid for and are willing to pay as much of their national wealth for healthcare as similar countries, we will always face crises like this.

Danilov

Streeting’s statement was emotional

Wes Streeting has warned that he cannot guarantee the safety of patients if strike action continues next week, given the state of the NHS and rising flu cases.

Even if there is no strike, Wes Streeting cannot give this guarantee. His explanation is emotional.

NineyTheObserver

Going on strike now is ethically reprehensible behavior

What we need to fear is that doctors can threaten and blackmail the entire population with strikes that will last for weeks, just when we need them the most. Imagine firefighters doing the same; Yes, there is a fire, but we won’t move unless you give me more money.

This is ridiculous and ethically reprehensible. This is a mafia style extortion. They should hang their heads in shame. If we all acted the same way, the entire economy would instantly collapse. The strike changed from the right of the many against the privilege of the few, to the privilege of the few against the right of the many.

AgeOfStoopid

Focus on public health, not politics

Why do we continue to politicize what is fundamentally a public health issue? It is flu season. We must disseminate public health information to prevent the spread – vaccination, good hygiene, reasonable precautions to stay home if you are sick, wear a mask if you have to go out when you are sick. There is no need to do this on another topic. This isn’t about doctors or the government; This is called real life.

Happy RetiredWoman

wear mask

This flu reduced the effectiveness of last year’s vaccine, making it less effective. More reasons to wear maskEspecially if you are sick and need to go shopping etc. But Starmer said today that the government was not advising people to wear masks, contrary to advice from NHS leaders.

gizzard

Underinvestment in the NHS

In civilized countries, extra hospital beds are available for such situations.

The Conservatives have been underinvesting in the NHS for fourteen years and now everyone is panicking because of it.

Labor is far from perfect, but they are trying to fix nearly a year and a half of poor management by the Conservative Party.

hurricane8

Travel and virus spread

Science, history, and pandemics have shown how influenza and other viruses reach most countries via air travel. Flying also creates emissions and the sector needs more regulation and taxation. A simple quarantine for suspected travelers would reduce NHS costs and public health concerns.

creamno

Heads must roll

Australia often caught the flu before we did, and there were clear warnings that it was more lethal. Knowing all this, I have to ask these questions:

There must be confusion at NHS HQ, but that never, ever happens.

Pomerol95

Reduce transmission

Try not to pass this on to others. Try not to catch it, then you cannot pass it on to others. Wear a mask in close-contact public spaces such as buses and trains.

Even a slight reduction in the risk of transmission can have a large impact on spread; spreads exponentially.

A lot

Make wearing a mask a habit

Anyone who feels unwell should wear a mask and wash their hands when necessary. This should become a world culture/habit as the simplest way to minimize a future epidemic. WHO needs to encourage this practice.

Why isn’t Streeting promoting this action on TV?

ASICIt

Some of the comments in this article have been edited for brevity and clarity.

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