General practitioners have urged the government to increase NHS 111 and after-hours services as facilities grapple with additional demand caused by high strep A infections.
Worried parents of children with symptoms of a streptococcus A infection are putting extreme pressure on doctor visits, with some practitioners struggling to cope with the extra demand.
Professor Camila Hawthorne, president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, urged ministers to give parents clearer information about when to see a doctor, even if they don’t need medical attention.
The government must “urgently” provide additional funding for “redundant” services such as NHS 111 and after-hours meetings to help reduce additional demand.
The latest figures from the UK Health Agency (UKHSA) showed that there were 1,062 cases of scarlet fever, a contagious disease caused by Strep A infection, in England in the last week of November, and that figure is likely to be even higher this week. be him.
A total of 6,601 cases of scarlet fever have been reported since September, compared to an average of 1,774 over the same period.
There were 91 cases of invasive streptococcal infection (iGAS) last week and 652 since September, more than double the two-month average of 311. About 15 children have died from iGAS in the UK, including 13 in England, one in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
Professor Hawthorne said: “Across the country, general practitioners and their teams are seeing a growing number of parents concerned that their child is unwell and may have a serious case of Streptococcus A.
“This is understandable given that we are seeing more streptococcus A infections than usual at this time of the year, in addition to the usual viral illnesses like winter flu, and especially given that a number of serious cases have had tragic consequences.
“However, many practitioners find it difficult to cope with the additional demand for high work and the burden of the practice of a family doctor.”
Professor Hawthorne said they did not want to discourage parents concerned about their children from seeking medical help, but added: “We need clear public health messages in the UK informing parents and explaining when they need help, what to seek and what different care options are available to them – even if they don’t need medical attention.
“We also urgently need the government to consider ‘overload’ services for GPs who are unable to keep up with increased patient demand due to Streptococcus A problems.
“GPs are highly trained family medicine professionals who are particularly vigilant in identifying severe, invasive cases of group A streptococcal infection.
“Early detection and treatment are essential, but it is vital that we are available to patients who really need us, so we call on the public and the media to act responsibly while we do our best to fight serious diseases. Treat cases of these infections to prevent them. “.
Professor Matthew Ashton, Liverpool’s director of public health, said: “The general public is now more aware of health protection issues and may want a faster or different response than usual, as is the case with Covid.
“However, the reality is that we are facing winter pressure every year, and these are not new infections, they are well known, as are the measures required for them.
“There is a big pressure on primary and secondary healthcare, and we all have to do our part to get through the winter safely and use healthcare services properly.
“So people who really need access to primary and secondary care get much more of the care they want and need.”
Most streptococcus A infections can be treated with antibiotics, although pharmacists warn that stocks are running low and the government has acknowledged that despite good national supplies, local shortages exist.
The UKHSA advice says that most viruses and infections that cause sore throats, colds and coughs should clear up without medical intervention, but parents should “trust their own judgment” if they feel their child is seriously ill.
Parents should contact NHS 111 or their GP if their child has all of these cold or flu symptoms, but the following warning signs also appear: if the situation worsens, eats or drinks much less than usual, shows signs of dehydration, or is very tired or become irritable.
Parents of infants should contact NHS 111 or their GP if the child has been in a dry diaper for 12 hours, has a temperature above 38°C by age three months or between three and six months of age and one temperature of 39°C or taller, or feeling hotter than usual on the back or chest, or sweating.
Parents should call 999 or go to the emergency room if their child has trouble breathing – parents may notice grunting or stomach sucking under the ribs; there are pauses when the child breathes; your baby’s skin, tongue, or lips are blue, or your baby is lethargic and won’t wake up or stay awake.
For more information, visit the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/strep-a/.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.