The first official snapshot of England's winter health crisis reveals a dramatic surge in flu cases, placing significant strain on hospital services. New NHS data shows the number of people requiring hospital treatment for influenza is more than half as high again as the same period last year.
Sharp Rise in Flu Patients and Critical Care Admissions
According to the NHS's inaugural weekly winter situation report for this season, an average of 1,717 patients with flu occupied hospital beds each day last week. Of these, a concerning 69 were in critical care units, requiring the most intensive medical support.
This represents a steep 56% increase on the equivalent week in December 2024, when 1,098 flu patients were hospitalised daily, with 39 in critical care. The current figures also far exceed those from the same point in 2023, which saw an average of 243 flu patients, and 2022, with an average of 772.
Norovirus Cases Show Significant Decline
In a contrasting trend, the number of hospital beds taken by patients suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting, and norovirus-like symptoms has fallen considerably. Last week, an average of 261 adult beds were filled by such cases, a stark drop from the 751 recorded at this time in 2024.
When paediatric cases are included, the total average for norovirus-type symptoms was 263 last week, which remains much lower than the 756 reported for this week in the previous year.
NHS Braces for Sustained Winter Pressure
The publication of these figures marks the start of the NHS's formal weekly monitoring of hospital performance throughout the challenging winter months. The significant year-on-year jump in serious flu cases indicates the health service is facing a formidable challenge from seasonal viruses, despite the lower incidence of the winter vomiting bug.
The data underscores the ongoing pressure on critical care capacity and hospital bed occupancy across England. Health officials will be closely watching these trends as the colder weather continues, with the potential for further increases in respiratory illnesses.
