In addition to the flu, hospitals are facing increasing pressure from Covid, RSV, and norovirus.
As flu cases surge rapidly, NHS England is urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated by visiting a pharmacy that offers the flu vaccine.
Latest NHS data shows flu cases in hospitals have quadrupled in just one month, with over 5,000 patients hospitalised with the virus at the end of last week, up from 1,190 on November 29.
During the week ending December 29, there were an average of 4,469 flu patients in hospitals each day, nearly 3.5 times higher than the same week last year, including 211 in critical care daily.
On Christmas Day, there were 4,102 flu patients in hospitals, and the number surged by nearly a quarter to 5,074 by Sunday, December 29.
In addition to the flu, hospitals are facing ongoing pressure from Covid, RSV, and norovirus.
An average of 723 patients with norovirus were hospitalised in the week ending 22 December, and 528 patients each day last week. Although this number has decreased, it remains 40 per cent higher than the 378 reported in the same week last year.
Last week, an average of 74 children with RSV were hospitalised daily, nearly a 50 per cent increase from 50 during the same period in 2023. Additionally, an average of 1,184 beds were occupied by patients with Covid.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has already issued amber cold weather alerts for England as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing in the coming days.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, has cautioned that the low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions.
Those at risk are advised to stay warm and ensure they have an adequate supply of any regular medication.
In anticipation of increased winter pressure, the NHS put in place 1,301 more beds last week compared to the same period last year (101,309 versus 100,008). NHS data shows an average of 648 more beds were occupied each day compared to last year (90,200 versus 89,552).
NHS reform crucial to ending winter crisis
Health secretary Wes Streeting stressed the need for reform in both the NHS and social care to put an end to the recurring winter crises.
“This government has ended the strikes so staff are on the frontline this winter rather than the picket line, introduced the new RSV vaccine, and put immediate extra investment into the NHS.
“But we have been honest from day one that the status quo isn’t good enough.”
“We are investing in and reforming our NHS, and grasping the nettle of social care reform, to finally break out of the cycle of annual winter crises, because there is no solution to the crisis in the NHS that doesn’t involve a solution to the social care crisis,” he added.
To help ease pressure on hospitals, people are encouraged to seek advice and support for health issues through NHS 111 and 111 online, reserving 999 or A&E visits for life-threatening emergencies only.
Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site
Pharmacies offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations can be found through this service.
Eligible individuals can receive the vaccine without needing an appointment or GP registration.
Winter COVID-19 vaccinations will no longer be available after January 31, 2025.
