NHS coping despite flu 'upsurge' - Swinney

Scotland's NHS is coping despite a significant upsurge in flu cases, First Minister John Swinney has said.

The latest figures show 1,163 people were hospitalised due to the virus in the past week - an increase of 65% on the previous seven days.

Swinney told BBC Scotland News the NHS was under "very significant pressures".

He urged those eligible to get vaccinated following a warning about low uptake among some Scots.

The first minister has chaired a meeting with the heads of the Scottish Ambulance Service, Public Health Scotland (PHS), NHS 24 and local health boards about the rising flu rates and NHS winter pressures.

He said: "The National Health Service, although under pressure, is managing to cope with that increased demand on its services at what is a challenging time of year."

Swinney urged Scots to follow NHS guidance on "pursuing the right care in the right place".

"That means going to NHS Inform first of all to get the right advice to ensure the appropriate support is provided at the earliest opportunity," he said.

The first minister said flu cases had been on the rise for several weeks despite an "effective and comprehensive" vaccine programme.

He added: "It's never too late to get that protection and it helps us to support and protect the NHS, which is quite clearly dealing with increased demand at this time."

PHS has warned there are early signs the high levels of flu circulating are contributing to "acute pressures" on the health and care system, including an increase in GP consultations and hospital admissions.

Its most recent data showed that in the past week the number of people consulting their GP about flu reached the highest level recorded in seven years - since the winter of 2017/2018.

In total there were 2,752 cases of flu confirmed across all age groups in Scotland - a 63% jump from 1,696 the previous week.

PHS noted only "a small number of deaths" had been reported among care homes.

However, it found more than two thirds of people under the age of 65 but with underlying health conditions had still not been vaccinated against flu, mirroring trends elsewhere.

Dr Nicholas Phin, the director of public health science at PHS warned flu "can lead to severe illness, hospitalisation, and even death, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, young children, and those with underlying health conditions".

He described vaccination as "one of the best tools we have in protecting against serious illness from flu".

Dr Phin also advised people to stay at home if feeling unwell and to maintain hand and mouth hygiene to avoid spreading any viruses.