LABOUR’S focus on hospital waiting list was criticised by campaigners today after figures revealed a new winter high for the number of inpatients with the vomiting bug norovirus.

Officials warned that hospitals are continuing to “run at near capacity” after weekly data published by NHS England revealed that almost one in seven beds are occupied by people who are medically fit to be discharged.

An average of 1,160 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 22 per cent from 948 the previous week, the figures showed.

Norovirus levels also remain higher than at this point 12 months ago, when an average of 509 beds were filled with patients with symptoms, and also two years ago (629 patients).

Keep Our NHS Public co-chair Dr John Puntis said: "These shocking figures highlight an NHS with insufficient beds for predictable surges in demand from winter viral infections.

“The failure by Labour and previous governments to tackle problems in social and community care is reflected in the high rate of delayed discharge for those medically fit.

“The knock-on impacts are delays in moving sick patients from emergency departments to wards (causing 14,000 deaths each year), overcrowded A&Es, and ambulance crews unable to handover patients and attend to the next emergency.

“Despite this evident crisis in acute care, Labour’s focus is mostly on waiting lists, with highly dubious solutions including investing more money in the private sector and a return to failed and expensive private finance initiatives.”

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, said: “It is concerning to see the number of patients with norovirus hit an all-time high and there is no let-up for hospital staff who are working tirelessly to treat more than a thousand patients each day with the horrible bug, on top of other winter viruses.”

Amy Douglas, lead epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), added: “Norovirus cases are still exceptionally high and continue to rise, though we are hopeful that the school half-term provides a break.

“It remains important to take steps to avoid passing on the infection.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Today’s data shows the NHS is continuing to grapple with winter pressures across the country and I want to thank all the NHS staff working tirelessly in difficult conditions.

“We have taken action to support the NHS this winter, including delivering millions of vaccinations for people up and down the country, rolling out the RSV vaccine for the first time and ending the resident doctor strikes so that staff are on the front line, not the picket line for the first winter in three years.

“It will take time, but through our Plan for Change, we will get the NHS back on its feet.”

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive at NHS Providers, added: “Winter has seen very high demand right across hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services but trust leaders and staff continue to do everything they can to see patients as quickly as possible in the face of extreme pressure and challenges.”