NHS stats: government must convene COBRA amid surge in norovirus cases

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to the latest NHS stats showing norovirus levels in hospitals to be 80% higher than last year with bed occupancy standing at 96%, well above the 85% that is considered safe, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

“The situation for patients and our NHS could not be more stark. People are dying on trolleys in corridors and staff are at breaking point. It cannot be overstated just how grim things are in A&Es across the country.

“This is one of the most brutal winters on record following years of shameful Conservative neglect and the current government is now at risk of losing control of this crisis. Any more delay in action has the potential to be deadly for patients. 

“COBRA must be convened immediately with an emergency plan brought forward to protect patients from this ongoing disaster.

“It is time for the government to step up and grip this crisis in a way that they have so far failed to do.”

ENDS