NHS Faces Mounting Pressure from Rising Flu Cases and Other Respiratory Illnesses, Latest Figures Reveal

The number of flu patients in English hospitals has increased dramatically, putting immense pressure on the NHS. In the past month, hospital admissions for flu have surged by over 300%, reaching an average of 4,469 flu patients per day during the last week of December. This includes 211 individuals in critical care, up from 184 the week before.

Comparing this figure to early December, when the number stood at just 1,098, it marks a fourfold increase in flu-related hospital admissions. Furthermore, the number of flu patients this winter is 240% higher than at the same time last year, when the average was 1,312. However, it is slightly lower than two years ago, when the total reached 5,441.

The NHS is grappling with a significant strain due to a combination of respiratory illnesses, including flu, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus – a situation described as a ‘quad-demic’. Hospitals are facing increased demand, leading to the addition of 1,300 extra beds last week, compared to the same period last year.

Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, highlighted the ongoing challenge, noting that flu pressures were not expected to ease as the new year began. “In addition to flu, we’re also seeing sustained pressures from Covid and higher-than-usual RSV and norovirus cases, with hospitals working tirelessly to accommodate these additional strains,” she explained.

With freezing temperatures forecast across England this weekend, the risk to vulnerable individuals increases. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Cold-Health Alert, warning of heightened risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections due to the cold snap. Dr. Agostinho Sousa from UKHSA urged those at risk to stay warm and ensure they have adequate medication in stock.

In addition to rising flu numbers, NHS figures also show that ambulance handover delays remain a significant issue. Last week, 32.1% of patients arriving by ambulance waited more than 30 minutes to be transferred to A&E teams, a rise from 28.9% last winter. Moreover, 12.9% of ambulance handovers were delayed by over an hour, affecting 12,229 patients.

As flu cases continue to rise, the NHS faces unprecedented challenges to meet the demands of the current health crisis.