The South Eastern Trust’s Executive Director of Nursing has revealed that hospitals across the Trust are treating twice as many patients for Flu this year, than this time last year.
Speaking as he welcomed the Health Minister to the Vaccination Centre, Professor David Robinson reinforced the urgent need for vaccination. “Flu has arrived early this year and it is particularly nasty. It can make you really ill. Across the South Eastern Trust, we currently have 42 patients admitted with Flu-like symptoms, including one patient in intensive care.
“I was out with a Team of School Nurses on Monday afternoon and they described how many children are off school at the moment with Flu-like symptoms.
“Look after yourselves, please get vaccinated. If you are making plans for Christmas, please do not let Flu steal your Christmas. There are many opportunities to get vaccinated across the Trust. If you are eligible, please get your vaccination. It is your first line of defence against flu.”
The Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, MLA has visited Vaccination Centre at the Ulster Hospital to meet staff and thank them for their ongoing efforts as Flu cases continue to rise rapidly across Northern Ireland.
More than 264 people have been hospitalised with Flu across the Region, with 954 confirmed cases, figures that are doubling every week.
The Trust has the highest uptake of staff Flu vaccination across all Health and Social Care Trusts. However, both the Trust and the Minister emphasised the need for increased uptake as pressures on hospital capacity increases.
Speaking during his visit, Mike Nesbitt said, “Visiting the Vaccination Centre has been really important for me because Flu is arriving very early and it is hitting particularly hard. We know what additional winter pressures look like and this is just adding to them. Capacity within our hospitals is limited and we rely on staff to get us through into 2026.
“It is really important for me to come along and send out the message to the general public, if you have not yet had the Flu vaccination, please get it because it is your best defence against what is a really nasty condition.
“I also wanted to thank the staff for all their continued efforts, as the South Eastern Trust has the highest uptake in terms of workforce vaccinations, nearly double the Health and Social Care average compared to last year. It could be higher and there is more work to be done.
“I am so grateful to the staff for what they are doing, going the extra mile, not just here in the Ulster Hospital Vaccination Centre, but also out in the community making it as easy as possible for people to access this vaccination.
“The rates of Flu are almost doubling every week. The number of hospital admissions are also nearly doubling weekly. You do not want to be in hospital with Flu, particularly if you have got an underlying condition.
“So please, please, please get vaccinated. It is your best defence against Flu.”
For further information on vaccination clinics and eligibility, visit www.setrust.hscni.net/service/vaccination-clinics/