The NHS in England is grappling with record flu hospitalisations, with an average of 1,717 patients in beds each day last week — a 56% increase on the same period last year. The figures, released in NHS England's first weekly winter snapshot, include 69 patients in critical condition. In 2023, just 160 flu patients were hospitalised in the same week.
Professor Julian Redhead, national director for urgent and emergency care, described the situation as an 'unprecedented flu wave', noting that cases are 'incredibly high for this time of year' with no peak in sight. He warned that ballooning flu cases, coinciding with planned strikes, could push staff to breaking point.
The data also showed that 30% of ambulance arrivals waited at least 30 minutes for handover to A&E teams, a slight improvement from 36% the previous week. Meanwhile, resident doctors in England have voted for a five-day strike from 17 to 22 December, which will overlap with the surge in flu cases.
Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, expressed anger and frustration at the strike timing, calling it 'cruel' and 'calculated to cause mayhem'. He warned that flu patient numbers could rise to 8,000 by next week. Sarah Woolnough of the King's Fund highlighted that the early flu season and industrial action are compounding pressures on an already strained system.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the government would 'do all we can to weather this storm' through planning, record investment, and modernisation to build a more resilient NHS.
