Syndromic surveillance summary: 4 April 2024 week 13
Updated 25 April 2024
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Reporting week 13: 25 March to 31 March
During week 13, most syndromic respiratory indicators remained stable but selected indicators (including GP in-hours lower respiratory tract infections and emergency department (ED) pneumonia attendances) continue at above expected levels. Please note that the of occurrence of the Easter bank holiday can impact on syndromic trends, including NHS 111 calls and GP-in hours consultations, and therefore data presented in the week 13 syndromic reports should be interpreted with some caution.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
Total NHS 111 calls and online assessments increased over the Easter bank holiday weekend (Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April) in line expected heightened activity during a public holiday. Activity and trends should therefore be interpreted with some caution during week 13.
Please note that recent updates to the NHS Pathways clinical system used by NHS 111 have affected levels of certain syndromic indicators, including cold or flu and cough calls (which should currently be interpreted with caution). NHS Pathways changes have also affected online assessments for fever and difficulty breathing indicators (which have been temporarily removed from this report to avoid misinterpretation). Please see ‘Notes and Caveats’ for further information.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 12, GP in-hours consultations for upper and lower respiratory tract infections remained stable but above seasonally expected levels. There was a small decrease in pneumonia consultations overall, however rates remain elevated and above expected levels (particularly in the 5 to 14 years age group). Whooping cough consultations increased during week 12 while there was a small decrease observed in measles consultations; both remain above seasonally expected levels.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 12, GP out-of-hours consultations for acute respiratory infections remained stable and just above expected levels. There was a small increase in contacts for acute bronchitis or bronchiolitis and also an increase in difficulty breathing, wheeze or asthma contacts in children aged under one year.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 13, ED attendances for respiratory infection indicators remained stable nationally, however attendances for acute respiratory infection and pneumonia remain above seasonally expected levels. Scarlet fever attendances also remained stable but at above expected levels.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 13, daily difficulty breathing calls increased and remained above expected levels. There were slight increases in ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ and ‘impact of heat or cold’ calls but these remain below expected baseline levels.