Syndromic surveillance summary: 15 June 2023 week 23
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 23: 5 June to 11 June 2023
On Sunday 11 June, there was a sharp increase in asthma and difficulty breathing indicators across syndromic surveillance systems, which coincided with Met Office weather warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England. Increases were seen in emergency department (ED), ambulance and NHS 111 syndromic systems and particularly in 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years age groups. During week 23, there were increases in ‘impact of heat’ syndromic indicators in line with the current warm weather and also increases in GP consultations for allergic rhinitis and NHS 111 eye problems, both in line with seasonal grass pollen activity.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 23, NHS 111 calls and online assessments for ‘heat exposure or sunburn’ and insect bites increased in line with the current Heat-Health Alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office. On Sunday 11 June, there was also a large spike in calls and online assessments for difficulty breathing in the 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years age groups. This spike coincided with Met Office weather warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England. Calls and assessments for eye problems also increased during week 23, particularly in children aged 5 to 14, in line with seasonal grass pollen activity.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 23, there was a sharp increase in the consultation rate for allergic rhinitis consistent with current grass pollen activity and the recent warm weather. Highest rates were observed in the 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years age groups and rates were above seasonal baseline levels in London, South East and South West regions.
Access the GP in hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
Daily GP out-of-hours contact data from 4 August 2022 onwards has not been received due to a widely publicised disruption faced by one of the GP out-of-hours clinical software system providers. We have since been informed that this disruption was as a result of a cybersecurity incident caused by ransomware. We are working closely with our data provider to restore the daily syndromic feed.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
There was a large increase in ED asthma attendances on Sunday 11 June. The increase was particularly noted in 5 to 14, 15 to 44 and 45 to 64 years age groups and North West, West Midlands, London, South East and South West regions. This spike coincided with Met Office weather warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England. During week 23 there were also increases in ‘heat or sunstroke’ attendances in line with the current Heat-Health Alert issued by UKHSA and the Met Office.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 23, there was a large spike in difficulty breathing ambulance calls (on Sunday 11 June), notably in the West Midlands, East of England, London and South West regions. This spike coincided with Met Office weather warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England. There were also increases in ambulance calls for ‘impact of heat or cold’ and ‘unconscious or passing out’, which both increased in line with the current Heat-Health Alert issued by UKHSA and the Met Office. Ambulance calls for ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ and allergic reactions also increased over the weekend.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK