NHS Forth Valley is facing increasing pressure following a sharp increase in the number of patients with flu and other respiratory viruses in recent days, as cases continue to spread widely in the community.

Garry Fraser, NHS Forth Valley Director of Acute Services said: “There are currently 83 patients with confirmed flu, Covid-19 and RSV in our inpatient wards at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, which is a sharp rise on the previous few weeks. This means around one in six of our core inpatient beds is now occupied by patients with respiratory illnesses.

“Ensuring these patients remain isolated is challenging and affects the wider capacity within the hospital. The increase in respiratory viruses, especially flu cases, is also placing additional strain on local services at an already busy time of year and we are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

He added: “Vaccines are the first line of defence and the number of people currently in hospitals across Scotland with flu shows that it can be a very serious illness, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, young children and those with underlying health conditions, so please get vaccinated if you are eligible as it’s not too late.

“You can also help protect others and reduce the spread by not attending any hospital to visit friends or family if you are feeling ill or have any cold or flu-like symptoms, no matter how mild. If you do require to visit, please wear a mask provided at the entrance areas of the wards. We’d also encourage employers to play their part in helping to reduce the spread by encouraging workers to work from home, if possible.”

Flu cases normally peak between early January and mid-February so there is the potential for the number of cases to grow further in the coming days and weeks.

The Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital continues to be exceptionally busy and is there to treat patients with serious illnesses and injuries, like suspected heart attacks, strokes and breathing difficulties, who require emergency care. So, if it is not something life threatening, if you have a minor injury or you need urgent health advice or treatment when your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed, call NHS 24 first on 111. Staff can provide advice or arrange for you to speak to a local healthcare professional. The NHS Inform website also has symptom checkers and self-help guides with advice on flu-like illnesses, coughs, fevers, stomach pain, vomiting, headaches, sore throats and you also phone the NHS Inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (Mon – Fri, 08.00-18.00) for advice.

Further health information and advice, including details of local vaccination clinics, can be found on the Winter Zone of the NHS Forth Valley website. You can also call the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 to make an appointment.