Flu hospitalisations have surged by 55% in a week, plunging the NHS into a “worst case scenario” for December, new figures show. An average of 2,660 patients per day were in hospital with flu last week — the highest for this time of year — enough each day to fill more than three whole hospital trusts. NHS leaders say numbers have already risen since the data week and there is no peak in sight.
Norovirus patients in hospital beds rose 35% to an average of 354 per day as winter viruses spread through hospitals. Demand for A&E and ambulance services is also soaring: November A&E attendances hit a record 2.35 million, and ambulance incidents rose to 802,525, up 48,814 on last year (753,711).
The NHS will face five days of industrial action by resident doctors from 7am on 17 December to 22 December, raising concerns about disruption ahead of Christmas. The public are advised to attend planned appointments unless contacted to reschedule. Primary, urgent and emergency care services will remain available; people should use 111 online for urgent but non-life-threatening issues and use 999 or A&E for emergencies.
More than 17.4 million people have been vaccinated against flu so far this year — over 170,000 more than at the same point last year — and over 60,000 more frontline healthcare workers have had the jab compared with a similar time last year, with thousands more expected to be vaccinated in coming days. The NHS is urging anyone eligible to get vaccinated to reduce severe illness and protect others.
Ambulance Category 2 response times (including strokes and heart attacks) averaged 32 minutes 46 seconds, almost 10 minutes faster than October 2024. The NHS waiting list in October rose slightly by 6,002 to 7.40 million (an estimated 6.24 million patients) but remains lower than October last year (7.54 million). October also saw a record 2.62 million checks and tests — over 100,000 up on September and nearly 62,000 above October 2024.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said the unprecedented wave of “super flu” and record demand for A&E and ambulances, combined with the impending strike, leaves the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year and stresses staff to the limit. She urged eligible people to book flu vaccinations now to ensure maximum immunity by Christmas Day, and reminded the public to use NHS 111 online for non-life-threatening care and 999/A&E for life-threatening conditions.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting warned of a “tidal wave of flu” through hospitals and said the government is working with the NHS to cope, noting over 17 million vaccinated and recruitment of 2,500 more GPs plus modernised appointment booking to keep care in the community. He said an offer to the BMA could resolve issues facing resident doctors and end strike action, urging doctors to accept the deal and call off Christmas strikes.
