Data from NHS England shows more beds are already full than at the peak of last year’s flu season and it is possible the number of people with the virus is four times higher now than in 2023
Brits have been warned the country is facing a “tidal wave of flu” in the run up to Christmas as the number of people hospitalised with the virus jumped 41% last week.
Data from NHS England shows more beds are already full than at the peak of last year’s flu season and it is possible the number of people with the virus is four times higher now than in 2023.
Last week an average of 2,629 patients were in hospital beds each day, with 125 of those cases in a critical condition. That is a massive 41% increase from the previous week, which saw 1,861 patients with 66 of those in critical care beds.
The week before had seen a 70% rise in flu hospitalisations with NHS England’s top doctor, Sir Stephen Powis, warning Britain was facing a “tidal wave of flu”.
Prof Powis said: “As children finish school and friends and families congregate over the Christmas period we expect viruses to continue to spread so if you haven’t got your flu jab and are eligible please come forward, and the public should think twice about seeing loved ones if they are seriously unwell.”
One in 20 hospital beds in England are currently being taken up or closed by a festive bug. This is partly thanks to norovirus, coughs, flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) circulating at high levels.
Norovirus beds were up more than a quarter on last year as were cases of RSV in children. Saffron Cordery, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, said: “There’s been no let-up for NHS trusts as flu and other nasty winter bugs, including norovirus and RSV continue to take their toll. The situation is likely to get worse before it gets better with viruses expected to spread further as schools close for Christmas and festive gatherings get into full swing.”
NHS England has warned it faces a “quad-demic” of flu, norovirus, RSV and rising Covid-19 cases. From Friday the NHS online booking system for vaccinations is closed but anyone eligible can still still visit a Covid-19 walk-in vaccination site or find a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine.
Prof Powis added: “The NHS has been hit hard with an early festive flu season, putting increased pressure on staff as they prepare for the long winter ahead of us. As the busy winter continues, I am incredibly grateful to those staff working to keep patients safe and provide them with the best possible care and I would remind anyone who needs medical support to continue to use 999 and A&E in an emergency and for everything else, use NHS 111 or 111 online.”
Patricia Marquis, executive director for the Royal College of Nursing in England, said: “As people prepare for the festivities, nursing staff are battling to hold the service together and are deeply concerned about what the coming weeks will deliver. Right across the NHS beds are full, A&E is facing increasing pressures, while the growing number of flu cases threatens to overwhelm an NHS and workforce already in crisis.
“The situation is made even worse by the strains in social and community care. Lack of care available close to home means more patients are forced to use A&E or are stuck in hospital beds when they are ready to return home.”
