The NHS is confronting an "unprecedented" wave of 'super flu' this winter, with the latest statistics painting a grim picture of rapidly escalating pressure on hospitals across the UK.
Alarming Surge in Hospital Admissions
Fresh data released by the NHS this morning shows the situation is continuing to deteriorate. In the last week, an average of 3,140 patients were hospitalised with the virus. This marks a shocking increase of nearly 1,000 cases on the previous week, representing an overall rise of 18 percent. The number of new infections has skyrocketed by 55 percent week-on-week.
The current caseload far exceeds figures from recent years. It is over 500 cases higher than the 2024 peak of 2,629 and a staggering 2,500 more than the 648 recorded the year before that.
Regional Hotspots and Critical Care Pressure
The burden is not evenly spread, with certain NHS trusts bearing the brunt of admissions. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust reported the highest number, with 249 new hospitalised patients. It was followed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (103) and Barts Health NHS Trust (101).
The strain on intensive care services is also intensifying. Last week, 128 patients were in critical care beds in England, up from 106 the week before. This figure is also slightly higher than the 125 recorded at the same point last year.
NHS Leadership Warns of 'Worst-Case Scenario'
NHS National Medical Director, Professor Meghana Pandit, issued a stark warning, linking the flu surge to wider systemic pressures. "With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year," she said.
Professor Pandit added that staff are "being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients."
Amid the concerning trends, there is a faint glimmer of hope in the data. While Professor Pandit cautioned that cases could continue to increase, the rate at which hospitalisations are climbing has shown signs of slowing. Mirror Health and Science editor Martin Bagot noted that the data shows fluctuations, suggesting "infections may be starting to flatline."
However, with weekly admissions still at a massively elevated level and critical care beds filling up, the NHS remains in a fiercely challenging position as it battles this severe winter virus outbreak.
