The NHS is facing an unprecedented flu wave this winter, with “no peak in sight yet,” according to England’s national medical director for urgent and emergency care.
Latest figures show an average of 1,717 patients were in a hospital bed every day last week because of flu — the highest on record for this time of year. Cases were ten times higher than in the same week in 2023 (160) and more than 50% higher than last year (1,098).
The NHS warns there is no sign of cases peaking, and rising flu infections are set to coincide with industrial action that could see thousands of junior doctors strike. The BMA has scheduled action at a time the NHS says will cause maximum disruption, increasing pressure and anxiety for patients and families over Christmas.
NHS leaders say industrial action will not derail preparations. So far this winter the NHS has delivered almost 17 million flu jabs (16,905,349), around 350,000 more than at this point last year.
Ambulances handed over 99,000 patients to hospitals last week — 4,500 more than the same week last year — yet ambulance handover times were almost 10 minutes faster than last year, which officials say shows winter preparations are working.
These figures are the first in the weekly reports tracking winter pressures. They show services are already under strain: NHS 111 received 11,338 more calls than the same week last year.
This winter there are more ways to access care than ever. Community pharmacies can provide quick treatment, including some prescription-only medicines, for common conditions such as sore throat, sinusitis and earache. Nearly all GP practices (98.7%) offer online consultation requests; around 8 million people used this in October. More urgent treatment centres are opening across England to treat a range of illnesses and injuries.
Prof Julian Redhead, National Medical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “Today’s numbers confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter. Cases are incredibly high for this time of year and there is no peak in sight yet. The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite that we know that ballooning flu cases coinciding with strikes may stretch our staff close to breaking point in the coming weeks. There have never been more ways for people to get the care they need, so for non-life-threatening care, people should call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place. As always, use A&E & 999 for life threatening conditions and serious injuries, and with just a couple of weeks left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I urge anyone eligible to come forward to get their jab.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Winter is a hard time for the NHS, but because we acted earlier than ever we’re seeing progress — with faster ambulance response and handover times compared to this time last year. This progress is being put in real jeopardy by the BMA’s leadership, whose reckless behaviour to time industrial action at the height of winter will put more patients at risk and bear down hard on their NHS colleagues in the run up to Christmas. We will do all we can to weather this storm. I am determined that with the proper planning, record investment and modernisation this government is bringing in, we’ll have a more resilient NHS for this winter and beyond.”
