The NHS has issued a stark warning that it is approaching a ‘worst case scenario’ as influenza cases and hospital admissions rocket nationwide. Health service figures reveal that flu-related hospitalisations have jumped by more than half within just seven days.
New statistics show an average of 2,660 patients were admitted to hospital beds with flu each day during the past week. This represents a record high for flu admissions at this point in the year and constitutes a 55% rise from the week before.
Further, NHS bosses have cautioned that no genuine peak for flu cases is visible on the horizon, with infections potentially continuing to climb at a worrying pace. The health service has also emphasised that there is already ‘record demand’ for accident and emergency departments and ambulance services nationwide.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, commented: « 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. »
Other winter viruses pressuring the health system
Other winter illnesses are adding strain to the healthcare system, with a 35% increase in hospital bed occupancy by norovirus patients, averaging 354 daily last week. New statistics released today show that A&E visits reached a November record of 2.35 million, surpassing November 2023 by over 30,000.
Ambulance call-outs also saw an increase, with an additional 48,814 compared to last year (802,525 versus 753,711). Data suggests a slight rise in the NHS waiting list in October by 6,002 to 7.40 million – an estimated 6.24 million patients – but this is still significantly lower than the figure from a year ago, which was 7.54 million.
The average response time for Category 2 emergencies, such as strokes and heart attacks, was nearly 10 minutes faster than in October 2024, at 32 minutes and 46 seconds.
In addition, a record-breaking 2.62 million vital checks and tests were conducted in October – over 100,000 more than the previous month and nearly 62,000 above October 2024.
Calls for winter vaccinations
In light of the surge in hospitalisations, the NHS continues to encourage vulnerable individuals to get their winter vaccinations, including the flu jab, to strengthen their immune systems. According to today’s figures, over 17.4 million people have been vaccinated so far this year – more than 170,000 above this point last year.
Prof Meghana continued: « 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. »
Will this affect my ability to be seen in hospital?
The NHS has emphasised that primary, urgent, and emergency care services will continue to be available for those requiring them, despite heightened capacity pressures. It recommends that the public utilise 111 online as their first port of call for urgent but non-life-threatening matters.
Nevertheless, patients experiencing genuine emergencies or accidents should continue to ring 999 or head straight to A&E.
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