'Vaccination fatigue' a factor in winter pressures

Low flu vaccination rates in parts of the region may have intensified the winter pressures faced by health services, according to a senior NHS boss.

Dr Ed Garratt, chief executive of the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE), said only three out of five people eligible for a jab took it up, fewer than before the pandemic.

He said that rate would not have been "accepted" during Covid, adding that "vaccination fatigue" may be a factor.

His comments came after the boss of Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, Nick Hulme, said both had full A&Es over Christmas, with many patients suffering from flu.

SNEE funds all NHS healthcare in Suffolk and north east Essex, including Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, GP surgeries, dentistry and mental health.

Dr Garratt said to avoid a repeat of this winter's situation it needed to "do much better" with vaccination rates for both the public and NHS staff - only two out of five five health care professionals had a flu jab.

He said he did not want to see patients being cared for in hospital corridors "normalised for future care".

Last month, Health Secretary Wes Streeting held a meeting with hospital bosses about the growing pressures on A&E departments. He urged them to "prioritise patient safety".

The government is due outline its 10 year plan for the future of the NHS in the spring, but it has already pledged to cut waiting lists.

It also wants to see more care in communities, new diagnostic centres and extra GP appointments.

Dr Garratt said a £15m community diagnostic centre had opened in Newmarket for CT scans, X-rays and MRI scans.

"For people in west Suffolk, they are going to see their diagnostic tests done much more conveniently and quickly," he said.

"We are now going to pursue a similar diagnostic centre for Ipswich and we are putting together a business case for that."

A new approach with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust began this year.

Dr Garratt said people waiting for an ambulance might benefit from a community service instead of being taken to A&E.

He said: "That might not be the right setting for them, and they get worse care if they have a long wait.

"We are much more proactive about identifying where patients can be cared for."

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