US EditionNumber of flu patients in hospital beds across England rises by more than 50%
Average daily flu hospital occupancy in England rose 56% to 1,717 with 69 in critical care, marking the highest early-season level in four years, NHS England said.
- The National Health Service reported average daily flu patients in hospitals in England reached 1,717 last week, a 56% increase from 1,098 in the same week of 2024.
- The season began unusually early this year and has not yet peaked, with early-season flu totals at 243 in 2023 and 772 in 2022, the highest in at least four years.
- Operational figures indicate 30% of ambulance arrivals waited at least 30 minutes, down from 36%, while delays over an hour affected 9,580 patients, or 10% of A&E handovers, improving from 16%.
- The NHS cautioned that flu cases are incredibly high and resident doctors in England are due to strike for five days from 7am on December 17 until 7am on December 22, which may stretch staff close to breaking point.
- The report also notes rising flu admissions are offset by lower suspected norovirus cases with 261 adult norovirus beds and 263 total suspected norovirus beds last week.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Number of Flu Patients in Hospital at Record Level for Time of Year
The number of people in hospital with flu in England is at a record level for this time of year, as health officials warned the NHS is bracing itself for an “unprecedent wave” of infections. An average of 1,717 flu patients were in beds in England each day last week, including 69 in critical care, according to the first of this year’s NHS winter situation reports. This is 56% higher than the equivalent numbers for the same week in 2024, when the…
England braces for 'unprecedented flu wave' as hospitalisations surge 56%
England is facing record-breaking flu hospitalisations, with health officials warning the NHS is bracing for an "unprecedented wave" of infections this winter.The latest NHS winter situation report reveals an average of 1,717 flu patients occupied hospital beds each day last week, including 69 in critical care.That's a staggering 56 per cent jump compared to the same week in 2024, when just 1,098 patients were being treated.To put the numbers in…
Flu hospital admissions surge 56% across England as winter pressures mount
NHS England data shows flu hospitalisations have risen sharply to 1,717 daily cases, a 56% increase from last year, as the first winter situation report of 2025 highlights mounting pressure on hospitals
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