Surge in flu cases has 'high impact on hospitals' as hospitalisations quadruple in ONE month

NHS data reveals that hospitalisation numbers are now more than four times higher than they were at the beginning of December.

Latest figures show an average of 4,469 flu patients occupied hospital beds in England last week, including 211 in critical care.

This represents a significant increase from 3,818 patients the previous week, when 184 were in critical care beds.

The current figures stand in stark contrast to December 1 levels, when only 1,098 patients were hospitalised with flu.

The surge has prompted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to classify flu admissions as having a "high impact" on English hospitals.

Elderly patients are bearing the brunt of the flu surge, with those aged 85 and over experiencing the highest admission rates at 88.4 per 100,000 people.

The 75-84 age group follows with 47.6 admissions per 100,000 people.

Young children are also significantly affected, with those aged four and under showing admission rates of 26.1 per 100,000.

These figures, released by the UKHSA, demonstrate the particular vulnerability of certain age groups to this season's flu outbreak.

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Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, warned that flu pressures were "nowhere near letting up" and cases are "rising at a very concerning rate".

Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA chief medical adviser, noted that increased socialising during the festive period typically leads to higher flu rates.

"The good news if you did take up a free flu vaccine, is that you are less likely to be severely affected by flu," she added, urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated.

Beyond flu cases, hospitals are facing additional winter pressures, with 528 beds occupied by norovirus patients last week.

While this represents a decrease from 723 the previous week, it remains higher than the same period last winter.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are also causing concern, with 74 children hospitalised last week, down from 87 but higher than last year's figure of 50.

Covid-19 cases averaged 1,184 hospital beds occupied daily, showing a slight decrease from the previous week's 1,277.

The NHS has prepared by adding 1,300 extra beds compared to last year.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged that flu is putting significant pressure on the NHS.

He highlighted that the government has "ended the strikes so staff are on the front line this winter rather than the picket line" and introduced a new RSV vaccine.

Streeting emphasised the need for reform, stating: "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."

He added that "there is no solution to the crisis in the NHS that doesn't involve a solution to the social care crisis."