Syndromic surveillance summary: 26 October 2023 week 42
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 42: 16 October to 22 October 2023
During week 42, emergency department (ED) COVID-19-like attendances continued to decrease nationally while NHS 111 calls and online assessments for ‘potential COVID-19’ remained stable.
ED acute bronchiolitis attendances continued to increase in children aged under one year, and children aged one to 4 years, in line with expected seasonal trends. There were further increases in selected acute respiratory infection syndromic indicators in children aged one to 4 years, in line with expected trends.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 42, NHS 111 cold and flu calls and online assessments remained stable and are currently below seasonally expected levels. There were increases in NHS 111 cough and difficulty breathing calls in children aged under one year, and children aged one to 4 years. NHS 111 vomiting calls also increased in children aged under one year, and children aged one to 4 years.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 42, there were further increases in GP in-hours consultations for upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract infections in line with seasonally expected trends, particularly in children aged under one year, and children aged one to 4 years. Consultations for influenza-like illness remained stable and at baseline levels during week 42.
Please note, from week commencing 30 October 2023 (week 43), we will be incorporating an additional GP data source (Oxford and Royal College of General Practitioners Clinical Informatics Digital Hub (ORCHID)) to provide improved system practice and population coverage.
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 was not received from 4 August 2022 until 31 March 2023 due to technical problems. We have been working closely with our data provider and the daily syndromic feed recommenced on 1 April 2023.
We have now completed the validation of the daily data and will recommence publishing the GP out-of-hours bulletin from week commencing 30 October 2023 (week 43).
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 42, emergency department COVID-19-like attendances continued to decrease nationally and across all age groups and UKHSA Regions. Acute respiratory infection and acute bronchiolitis attendances continued to increase nationally and particularly in children aged under 5 years. Attendances for pneumonia increased in those aged over 65 years.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 42, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing continued to increase nationally. Calls for ‘impact of heat or cold’ also increased but remain similar to levels expected for the time of year.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK