A successful vaccination campaign is vital in keeping people with flu, covid and RSV out of hospital this winter

NHS leaders in Staffordshire hope a renewed vaccination drive will help keep hospital admissions under control this winter.

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University Hospitals of North Midlands had to declare several critical incidents last winter as the trust was overwhelmed by the demand for services.

One of the major factors behind hospital admissions rocketing during the colder months is the seasonal increase in respiratory illnesses such as flu, Covid and RSV.

Now, bosses at Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) want as many people as possible to get vaccinated in order to limit the impact of these infections.

The vaccination campaign forms one of the key pillars of the integrated care system's winter plan, with more patients being offered jabs during appointments and before being discharged.

Senior ICB managers told health and social care scrutiny committee members that this year's winter plan would be dependent on all partners, including the local authority.