Student dies of flu after family follows NHS advice not to visit A&E

Tests later revealed Melissa Whiteley, 18, was also suffering from sepsis and pneumonia

A young engineering student reportedly died of flu after her family followed NHS warnings over Christmas not to attend A&E unless it was an emergency.

Melissa Whiteley, 18, was admitted to hospital on Christmas Day after failing to shake a cough and suffering flu symptoms. Her condition deteriorated and she was placed into a coma.

A combination of factors are at play. Hospitals have fewer beds than last year, so they are less able to deal with the recent, ongoing surge in illness. Last week, for example, the bed occupancy rate at 17 of England’s 153 acute hospital trusts was 98% or more, with the fullest – Walsall healthcare trust – 99.9% occupied.

Continue reading... February 08, 2018 at 09:26PM