Epsom and St Helier flu jab plea as hospital cases climb
Flu cases rising at Epsom and St Helier
Anyone who has driven past the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals sites recently will know how busy they can get in winter. Now the trust, which runs hospitals across Surrey and south London, has issued a clear message: book your flu jab before the virus spreads more widely. In October the trust recorded 35 flu cases among inpatients, up from 11 in the same month last year. That is a sharp increase for a single month, and it is a warning sign for what could follow. Last winter, cases among patients at the trust’s hospitals peaked at 166 in December. Many of us in north Surrey know those busy corridors well, whether we are visiting relatives, attending appointments or working shifts. Residents of Dorking, Leatherhead, Guildford and Woking often rely on the same network of services, so the pressure of flu season is felt across the wider area. The trust has not called this a crisis, but it has been clear that more patients needing hospital care this winter could put strain on staff and beds. Vaccination is one of the simplest ways to reduce that pressure, and it costs nothing if you are eligible for the NHS programme.
Who should book now, and why it matters at home
The free NHS flu vaccine is available to a specific group of people, and it is worth checking whether you or someone in your household qualifies. Eligible groups include adults aged 65 or over by 31 March, adults aged 18 to 64 with certain long-term health conditions, pregnant women, care home residents, and main carers for an older or disabled person. It also covers people who receive a carer’s allowance, those living with someone who has a weakened immune system, people experiencing homelessness or staying in a hostel or night shelter, and front-line health and social care workers. Tracy Luckett, the trust’s chief nurse, put it plainly: the vaccine protects not only you but the people you live with and care for. For carers in particular, a single infection can quickly disrupt daily routines. Home life matters too. Many families across Surrey are already planning winter upgrades, and a well-ventilated, easy-to-clean bathroom or kitchen makes it simpler to manage illness at home. Local bathroom fitters and kitchen renovation specialists often note that bathroom refurbishment work can include better ventilation and accessible fittings for older relatives. Those choices will not replace a flu jab, but they can make recovering at home safer and more comfortable.
How to book and what to watch next
Booking is straightforward. You can make an appointment online, through the NHS app, or by calling 119. Many people also find that their GP surgery or local pharmacy offers the jab, so it is worth checking those options if the first search does not show a convenient slot. Do not wait until symptoms appear. Flu can spread quickly in workplaces, schools and crowded public places, and the vaccine takes a couple of weeks to build full protection. If you are unsure whether you qualify, your GP practice can confirm. Over the coming weeks, keep an eye on updates from the trust and from BBC Surrey, which will report on hospital pressures and any changes to flu service levels. Watch for whether the number of inpatient cases continues to climb, as that will shape how stretched services become over the festive period. Local residents can also help by practising simple habits: washing hands regularly, staying home when unwell, and checking on neighbours who are vulnerable. If you have a story about how winter illness is affecting your street, your workplace or your family, the BBC Surrey team welcomes tips. Getting vaccinated now is one of the most practical steps any of us can take to keep our hospitals, and our homes, running smoothly this winter.
Source: Epsom and St Helier hospitals issues flu jab plea as cases rise
