Hospitals across the National Health Service are grappling with an intense winter crisis, driven by a sharp spike in cases of norovirus, flu, and other seasonal viruses. The situation has become so severe that several NHS trusts have been forced to declare critical incidents.
Sharp Rise in Infections and Bed Occupancy
The latest data reveals a dramatic week-on-week increase in norovirus cases within hospitals. The number of beds occupied by patients with the highly contagious stomach bug surged by 57 per cent. On average, 567 beds were filled each day last week, marking the highest level of norovirus occupancy seen so far this winter.
This viral surge is compounding existing pressures from influenza and other respiratory illnesses, creating a perfect storm for healthcare providers. The strain is being felt acutely in regions including Kent, Sussex, and the Midlands, where trusts have officially declared critical incidents.
Severe Impact on Patient Care and Operations
The declaration of critical incidents has led to significant disruption for patients and services. Hospitals have been compelled to cancel non-urgent operations to free up staff and resources. Meanwhile, patients seeking emergency care are facing what have been described as 'dreadful' waiting times.
Reports indicate that some individuals have been left waiting in A&E departments, corridors, and waiting rooms for multiple days before being admitted. In some instances, the wait for a bed on a ward has stretched to up to two days.
A&E Performance Falls Short of Targets
Official A&E performance data for December underscores the scale of the challenge. The figures show that 151,724 patients waited more than 12 hours to be admitted, transferred, or discharged after a decision to admit them was made.
Furthermore, the NHS target for seeing patients within four hours is being missed. Only 73.8 per cent of attendees were seen within the four-hour window in December. This falls considerably short of the 78 per cent target set for March 2026, highlighting the immense pressure on emergency services.
The combination of rising viral infections and systemic capacity issues is presenting one of the most difficult winter challenges for the NHS in recent years, with staff working under extreme pressure to manage patient demand.
