The NHS is preparing for what it describes as an "unprecedented flu wave" this winter, with the number of patients in hospital with influenza already reaching record levels for the season.
Record-Breaking Hospital Admissions
New data reveals the scale of the early surge. Last week, an average of 1,717 hospital beds in England were occupied each day by flu patients. This startling figure represents a dramatic 56% increase compared to the same week in 2024.
Health leaders confirm the season has begun earlier and more intensely than usual, and with the peak still expected, pressure on hospital services is set to intensify significantly in the coming weeks.
Critical Care Under Strain
The severity of the circulating flu strains is further highlighted by the number of patients requiring the most intensive treatment. Of those hospitalised last week, 69 were in critical care beds, placing direct strain on these vital and limited NHS resources.
This surge coincides with warnings from health service bosses that the combination of flu and potential industrial action could "stretch our staff close to breaking point." While ambulance handover delays have shown some improvement, overall pressure on A&E departments remains persistently high.
Urgent Call for Vaccination
In response to the escalating crisis, senior health officials are issuing an urgent appeal for vaccination. Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national medical director, emphasised the narrowing window for action, stating there are only "a couple of weeks left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day."
The flu jab is freely available on the NHS to key groups, including:
- Everyone aged 65 and over.
- People under 65 with certain long-term health conditions (clinical risk groups).
- Pregnant women.
- Residents in care homes.
- Frontline health and social care workers.
- Unpaid carers.
Getting vaccinated now is presented as a crucial step to protect individuals and help alleviate the mounting burden on hospital staff and beds during the festive period.
