Flu hospitalisations have surged by more than half in just one
week, plunging the NHS into a “worst case scenario” situation for
December, new figures reveal today.
An average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with
flu last week – the highest ever for this time of year and up 55%
up on last week.
It means there are enough flu patients each day to fill more than
three whole hospital trusts.
NHS chiefs have warned the total has already increased sharply
since the week covered by the data, with no peak in sight.
The number of norovirus patients in hospital beds has also risen
by 35% - to an average of 354 each day last week - as winter
viruses start to engulf hospitals.
It comes as demand for A&Es and ambulance services is already
soaring.
New monthly figures today show A&E attendances were a record
for November at 2.35 million and more than 30,000 higher than
November 2024, while there were 48,814 more ambulance incidents
compared to last year (802,525 v 753,711).
The record-breaking demand comes with thousands of resident
doctors set to go on strike from 17-22 December – sparking fears
of major disruption for patients ahead of Christmas.
The NHS is urging anyone eligible to get their flu vaccination to
help prevent them getting seriously ill. Today's data shows more
than 17.4 million have been vaccinated so far this year – over
170,000 more than this time last year.
Over 60,000 more frontline healthcare workers have had their flu
vaccinations this year compared to a similar time last year with
thousands more expected to get jabbed in the coming days.
The average ambulance response time for Category 2 emergencies
including strokes and heart attacks was almost 10 minutes faster
than in October 2024, at 32 minutes 46 seconds.
Figures also show the NHS waiting list in October rose slightly
by 6,002 to 7.40 million - an estimated 6.24 million patients -
but still significantly lower than a year ago, when it stood at
7.54 million.
Meanwhile, 2.62 million vital checks and tests were performed in
October – the highest on record, over 100,000 up on the previous
month and nearly 62,000 above October 2024.
As demand on the NHS surges, it is bracing for another five days
of industrial action by resident doctors, which begins at 7am
next Wednesday (17 December).
The public are advised to attend any planned appointments
scheduled during the strikes unless they have been contacted to
reschedule.
Primary and urgent and emergency care services will continue to
be available for those who need them. The public should use 111
online as the first port of call for urgent but not
life-threatening issues during industrial action so that they can
be directed to the best place for their needs.
Patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use
999 or come forward to A&E as normal.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director,
said:
“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 – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the
best possible care for patients.
“The numbers of patients in hospital with flu is extremely high
for this time of year.
“Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight
yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.
“NHS staff have pulled out all the stops to vaccinate more people
than last year, and with just a week left to ensure maximum
immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I would urge anyone eligible
for the vaccine to please book an appointment or visit a walk-in
site as soon as possible. Vaccination is the best protection
against getting potentially very ill and it also helps protect
those around you.
“We have prepared earlier for winter than ever before, and
stress-tested services to ensure people have a range of ways to
get the help they need and avoid needing to go to A&E.
“For non-life-threatening care, people should call NHS 111 or use
111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place,
and use A&E and 999 for life threatening conditions and
serious injuries.”
