Flu hospital admissions jumped 55% in a single week, pushing the NHS towards what leaders describe as a worst-case December. Last week an average of 2,660 people were in hospital with flu each day — the highest figure seen at this time of year and enough daily patients to fill more than three entire hospital trusts. Officials say admissions have continued to rise since the data were collected and there is no clear peak yet.
Winter viruses are spreading through hospitals beyond influenza. Norovirus patients occupying beds rose 35% to an average of 354 per day. Demand on emergency services is also climbing sharply: A&E attendances in November reached a record 2.35 million, and ambulance incidents rose to 802,525 — up 48,814 on last year’s 753,711.
The pressure arrives alongside planned industrial action. Resident doctors are set to strike for five days from 7am on 17 December to 22 December, raising concerns about disruption ahead of Christmas. The NHS advises people to attend planned hospital appointments unless contacted about rescheduling. Primary, urgent and emergency care will continue to operate; patients with urgent but non-life-threatening problems should use NHS 111 online, and anyone with life-threatening conditions should call 999 or go to A&E.
Vaccination efforts are under way: more than 17.4 million people have received this season’s flu jab so far — over 170,000 more than at the same point last year. Vaccination among frontline healthcare workers is also higher than last year, with more than 60,000 additional staff immunised and thousands more appointments expected in the coming days. The NHS is urging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of severe illness and to protect others.
Operational performance data offer a mixed picture. Ambulance Category 2 response times, which cover incidents such as strokes and heart attacks, averaged 32 minutes 46 seconds — almost 10 minutes quicker than in October 2024. The overall NHS waiting list rose slightly in October by 6,002 to 7.40 million (an estimated 6.24 million patients), but remains below October last year’s 7.54 million. October also saw a record 2.62 million checks and tests, more than 100,000 up on September and nearly 62,000 above October 2024.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, warned that an unprecedented wave of what she called ‘super flu’, combined with record demand for A&E and ambulance services and the impending strike, leaves the health service facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year and is stretching staff to their limits. She urged eligible people to book flu vaccinations now to maximise immunity by Christmas Day and reminded the public to use NHS 111 online for non-life-threatening care and 999/A&E for emergencies.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting cautioned that hospitals are facing a ‘tidal wave of flu’ and said the government is working with the NHS to manage the pressure. He highlighted that over 17 million people have been vaccinated, that 2,500 more GPs are being recruited and that appointment booking systems are being modernised to keep care in the community. Mr Streeting also said an offer has been made to the British Medical Association that could resolve issues affecting resident doctors and urged clinicians to accept the deal and call off the planned Christmas strikes.
