Respiratory illness may take up half of NHS beds this winter

Respiratory illness may take up half of NHS beds this winter Up to half of all hospitals beds in England could be occupied by patients with respiratory infections, including Covid and flu, NHS England says.

The warning came as NHS bosses set out further details of its plans to help the health service cope this winter.

This includes rapid response teams to help people who have fallen at home and "data war rooms" to monitor pressures.

The return of normal winter viruses along with Covid will place huge strain on hospitals, NHS England said. BBC News

See also:

• 24/7 control centres among new plans to step up NHS winter preparations NHS England
• NHS is setting up 'war rooms' as it prepares for one of the toughest winters in its 74-year history The Daily Mail
• Omicron’s ‘grandchildren’ could dominate Covid cases this winter, experts warn The Independent
• NHS England setting up 'war rooms' to prepare for 'toughest winter on record' Sky News