Syndromic surveillance summary: 21 September 2023 week 37
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 37: 11 September to 17 September 2023
During week 37, ‘impact of heat’ indicators returned to expected levels following the recent Heat-Health Alert (HHA) across parts of England. There were increases in selected asthma and difficulty breathing indicators in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years, following expected seasonal trends and in line with the recent return to school. Emergency department (ED) COVID-19-like attendances remained stable during week 37.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 37, NHS 111 calls and online assessments for difficulty breathing increased in children aged under 15 years. These increases are in line with seasonally expected trends coinciding with the start of the new school year. NHS 111 calls and online assessments for ‘heat exposure or sunburn’ and insect bites decreased during week 37.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
COVID-19-like GP in-hours consultations increased slightly during week 37. There was an increase in chickenpox consultations, mainly in the 1 to 4 years age group. During week 37, GP in-hours consultations for ‘heat or sunstroke’ increased in line with the recent HHA, however daily consultations had returned to expected levels by the end of the week.
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 37 there was an increase in ED attendances for asthma, particularly in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. These increases are following expected seasonal trends after the recent return to school. Acute bronchiolitis/bronchitis attendances also increased, mainly in the 1 to 4 years age group, again in line with seasonal expectations. ED COVID-19-like attendances remained stable overall during week 37.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
Ambulance ‘impact of heat or cold’ calls decreased during week 37; daily calls had reached expected levels by the end of the week. Daily calls for ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’, ‘unconscious or passing out’ and ‘collapsed with unknown problem’ also decreased during week 37.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK