Flu hospital admissions fall 36% but NHS remains under ‘significant’ pressure

Hospital admissions for flu in Scotland have fallen by more than a third, after reaching a record high in the final week of 2024.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) data shows while there were 1,596 admissions for influenza in the last week of 2024, they dropped 36% to 1,021 in the first week of the new year.

The fall came despite an increase in people going to their GP “for influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infections” in the first week of January, when practices reopened after the festive break.

PHS added that community surveillance shows a decrease in test positivity for influenza A – dropping from 50.8% in the final week of last year to 38.9% in the first week of 2025.

Despite the fall in hospital admissions, Health Secretary Neil Gray said there are still “significant winter pressures” on the NHS.

He said the Government is in contact with “key partners in the NHS and social care”, with First Minister John Swinney chairing regular meetings.

Mr Gray said: “Although the latest statistics show hospitalisations because of flu have decreased, it is clear that the health and social care system continues to face significant winter pressures, including cases of influenza A, which remain high.”

He urged people to act to cut their risk of catching the virus, saying: “Everyone can reduce the chance of catching flu or spreading it to others with good hand hygiene and other precautions, staying home if you have respiratory symptoms and, most crucially, getting the vaccination if eligible.

“The groups eligible for the flu vaccine this winter are more likely to experience serious illness or complications from flu due to older age or underlying health conditions.

“I therefore urge all those who are eligible for vaccinations this winter to come forward as soon as possible to protect themselves.”