Syndromic surveillance summary: 14 September 2023 week 36
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 36: 4 September to 10 September 2023
During week 36, syndromic indicators for ‘impact of heat’ increased in line with the recent Heat-Health Alert (HHA) period in place across England. Indictors for insect bites also increased and remain high and above seasonally expected levels. Following recently observed increases, emergency department (ED) COVID-19-like attendances were stable during week 36.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
NHS 111 calls and online assessments for ‘heat exposure or sunburn’ increased throughout week 36 across all age groups and most regions. National activity is above seasonally expected levels and in line with the recent HHA. Calls and assessments for insect bites also increased and are currently above seasonally expected levels. NHS 111 cold/flu calls continued to increase during week 36 but remain in line with seasonally expected trends and levels.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
The GP in-hours consultation rate for insect bites increased during week 36 in line with the recent warm weather; rates remain above seasonally expected levels. There was a small increase in GP in-hours consultations for ‘heat or sunstroke’ in the line with recent HHA in place during week 36.
Access the GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
Daily GP out-of-hours contact data was not received from 4 August 2022 until 31 March 2023 due to technical problems. We have been working closely with our data provider and the daily syndromic feed recommenced on 1 April 2023. We are currently evaluating the daily data received and will resume publication of the weekly bulletin when this process is complete.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 36, ED attendances for ‘heat or sunstroke’ increased sharply, peaking over the weekend of 9 and 10 September, in line with the recent HHA period. Following recently observed increases, ED COVID-19-like attendances were stable during week 36, but attendances decreased over the weekend of 9 and 10 September. There was small increase in acute respiratory infection attendances in line with expected seasonal trends.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
There was an increase in daily ‘impact of heat/cold’ calls during week 36 in line with the HHA period. Daily calls for ‘cardiac/respiratory arrest’, ‘unconscious or passing out’ and ‘collapsed with unknown problem’ also increased, particularly during the weekend of 9 and 10 September, in line with the warm weather.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK