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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

Welcome to Ipswich Hospital sign
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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An award-winning local law firm. Attwells is rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors and holds an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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Suffolk Libraries CEO requests county council 'listen to reason' as takeover decision looms

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With over 22,000 petition signatures opposing the plan, the library charity makes its final appeal before today's cabinet meeting.

Why it matters: Hours before Suffolk County Council's cabinet meets to decide on taking the library service back in-house, Suffolk Libraries is highlighting what it claims Suffolk residents will lose under council management.

The big picture: The charity has run Suffolk's libraries for 12 and a half years and claims the takeover would jeopardise nearly £2.5m in annual financial benefits and numerous innovative services.

Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, and the County Library in Ipswich
Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, and the County Library in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

By the numbers: Suffolk Libraries says its charity status delivers substantial financial advantages:

  • £690,000 contributed by Friends' groups for furniture, equipment and refurbishments

  • £150,000 yearly from running prison libraries

  • £500,000 in rates relief due to charity status

  • Nearly £100,000 raised annually through fundraising

  • Almost £1m yearly in grant funding only available to charitable organisations

What they're saying: "We urge Suffolk County Council to listen to reason, to stand by its stated mission 'to make a positive difference for Suffolk', and 'striving to improve, and securing the best possible services'," said Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries.

He pleaded: "Ensure the people of Suffolk continue to benefit from the outstanding library service which has been heralded as the benchmark for excellence within the industry. Please don't make such an important decision based on flawed figures which so many Suffolk residents are clearly opposed to."

Beyond the money: Suffolk Libraries warns that several services may not continue under council control:

  • Arts Council funded programmes

  • Health and wellbeing projects such as Menopause & Me and Moving Minds

  • Community-led initiatives including Men Can Talk and LGBTQIA+ groups

  • The Be Kind to a Kid Christmas toy appeal that donated over 6,000 toys to families in need

The volunteer factor: In 2023-24, over 1,200 volunteers provided 35,500 volunteering hours to the service. The charity says many volunteers "have already stated that they will not continue if the library service is run by the county council."

For context: Suffolk Libraries has achieved numerous industry innovations, including:

  • First library service with a dedicated wellbeing team

  • One of the first to offer libraries as warm spaces during the cost-of-living crisis

  • First to loan eReader devices to customers

  • First to develop its own self-service technology, saving around £100,000

The bottom line: With growing opposition from local residents, MPs, backbench councillors and other key stakeholders, Suffolk Libraries is making a final appeal for the county council to "return to the negotiating table" before the cabinet makes its decision.

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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