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Ipswich Hospital faces perfect storm as winter illnesses surge

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A sharp rise in flu, Covid and norovirus cases has pushed East Suffolk and North Essex Trust, which runs Ipswich Hospital, to near capacity, with 97% of beds now occupied. Healthcare leaders warn this could be the most challenging winter in NHS history.

Why it matters: The unprecedented occupancy rates at East Suffolk and North Essex Trust, which runs Ipswich Hospital, signal mounting pressure on local healthcare services just as winter begins. The situation mirrors a national crisis that healthcare leaders say could worsen.

By the numbers:

  • 97% of beds at the trust were occupied the week before last

  • This is up from 94% the same time last year

  • The trust had an average of 1,211 occupied beds daily in the week to 1 December

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A sharp rise in flu, Covid and norovirus cases has pushed East Suffolk and North Essex Trust, which runs Ipswich Hospital, to near capacity, with 97% of beds now occupiedOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The big picture: NHS England data shows hospitals across the country are experiencing similar pressures. Around 95% of hospital beds in England are currently occupied – the highest figure ever recorded at this point in the year.

What they're saying: "There is barely a spare bed in our NHS, with sky-high flu admissions and thousands stuck in hospital unable to be discharged due to a lack of capacity in social care," says Patricia Marquis, executive director for England at the Royal College of Nursing.

Driving the news: Healthcare leaders are warning of a "quad-demic" – a combination of rising hospital admissions for:

  • Flu (up sharply from 221 to 1,098 patients nationally compared to 2023)

  • Covid-19

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

  • Norovirus (cases up 86% year-on-year)

What's next: Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, says there's still time to "change the trajectory" before Christmas but warns more people need to come forward for their flu vaccines.

The bottom line: With winter only just beginning and multiple infectious diseases on the rise, Ipswich Hospital faces significant challenges ahead. Health leaders say vaccine uptake could be crucial in determining how severe the winter crisis becomes.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Family pays tribute to 'loving' Ipswich man killed in A14 crash

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"A loving father, brother and grandad" who brought "joy and laughter" is how relatives described John Vincent, who died in a collision near Stowmarket last month.

Why it matters: The 61-year-old from Ipswich was involved in a fatal crash on the A14 last month, with police now appealing for witnesses.

John Vincent
John VincentSuffolk Constabulary

The details: Police were called just after 23:40 on Thursday, 20 February to reports of a collision involving a car and an HGV on the westbound carriageway of the A14 between Stowmarket and Haughley.

Mr Vincent's black Ford C-Max collided with a Volvo Skip Loader vehicle parked in a layby.

Ambulance crews, firefighters and a paramedic from Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS) attended, but Mr Vincent was sadly declared dead at the scene.

What they're saying: In a tribute released through police, Mr Vincent's family said: "To a loving father, brother and grandad who will be sorely missed for all the joy and laughter you brought into everybody's lives.

"You will be missed greatly by all who knew you. Rest in peace you will never be forgotten.

"We love you. RIP John William Vincent."

What's next: Police are asking witnesses to the collision to contact the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit, quoting reference 37/9754/25.

The bottom line: Support information for those affected by road traffic collisions can be found on the Suffolk Police website.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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