The NHS is preparing for its most severe winter crisis in the next fortnight as a worsening 'flu-nami' puts hospitals, GP surgeries, and ambulance services under intense strain. Data from NHS England shows an average of 2,660 people a day were hospitalised with flu last week, a 55% increase from the previous week and the highest ever recorded for early December.
The surge is driven by a drifted H3N2 flu strain, which particularly affects older adults and leads to more hospitalisations and deaths. Combined with rising cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19, the situation threatens to 'engulf hospitals', according to NHS England's joint medical director, Professor Meghana Pandit.
Vaccine uptake among at-risk groups remains worryingly low, with only 37.4% of under-65s with long-term conditions vaccinated by 7 December, and 35.6% of pregnant women. However, 71.7% of over-65s have received the jab. The UK Health Security Agency urges those eligible to get vaccinated promptly, as time is running out before Christmas.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have criticised the British Medical Association for calling a five-day strike by resident doctors starting next Wednesday, which could further strain the NHS. NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey described the strike as 'cruel' and 'calculated' to cause maximum disruption.
Health experts advise the public to minimise flu spread through masking, social distancing, and working from home where possible. They also urge checking on older relatives and neighbours to ensure they are vaccinated against flu.
