Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has prepared for winter pressures amid expectations of a longer-than-usual flu season, councillors have been told.
The trust's preparations were outlined to the local authority's health committee, which was informed that an extended flu period is anticipated following a spike in flu in the southern hemisphere in March.
Winter Preparations and Frailty Virtual Ward
Councillors were reminded that the area is covered by the "Frailty Virtual Ward," which aims to help frail patients stay at home while ill. The wards deliver hospital-level care at home to avoid potential deterioration from hospital stays.
Five acute respiratory illness hubs will also be operational again this November, allowing GP practices extra capacity to treat respiratory conditions.
Staff Vaccination and National Investment
Joanna Clark, operations director for medicine, community and older persons' mental health at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: "We are prepared for winter 2026/27, but you never quite know what winter will throw up. Pressure is already building in the system; we have seen a number of patients in our bed-based with COVID. It is not the illness it was, but if you are older and frail and you catch it, it can still be a nasty respiratory illness."
Clark added: "We are anticipating a longer flu season this year."
Currently, 43.5% of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust staff have been vaccinated against flu, with an eventual target of 60%.
In October, the government announced it would invest almost £140 million in 14 new urgent care schemes across England, including new urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and same-day emergency care services (SDECs), new ambulance fleets and emergency department upgrades, providing a significant increase in frontline and urgent care capacity.
