Flu cases in NHS hospitals jump 55% in one week, figures show

The number of people in hospital in England with flu remains at a record level for this time of year and has jumped by 55% in a week, NHS figures show.

An average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, up from 1,717 the previous week.

At this point last year the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, warned the “unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year” and there was no peak in sight.

Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the “flu-nami” was hitting the NHS but this was “a sadly familiar picture of a system under relentless strain”.

She added: “This week we have seen clinicians reviewing patients in waiting rooms due to lack of space, and cupboards used as temporary clinical areas – a new low for patient care standards.”

Weekly flu numbers in England peaked at 5,408 patients last winter and reached 5,441 over the winter of 2022/23, the highest level since the pandemic.

Some hospitals across the country have asked staff, patients and visitors to wear face masks to cut the spread of flu, while others have gone in and out of critical incident status due to the high number of people attending A&E.

The NHS is also grappling with the threat of resident doctors going on strike next week in a dispute with the Government over pay and jobs.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has offered the British Medical Association (BMA) a last-minute deal in the hope of avoiding a five-day strike, which starts next Wednesday.

The doctors’ union has agreed to put the offer to members over the coming days and, if they support it, the strike could be called off.

The offer includes a fast expansion of specialist training posts as well as covering out-of-pocket expenses such as exam fees, but does not include extra pay.

The NHS data on Thursday shows 106 flu patients were in critical care beds in England last week, up from 69 the previous week, and a record number for this time of the year.

Separately, an average of 354 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 35% from 263 the previous week.

This is lower than at this point last year but NHS England said winter viruses were beginning to “engulf hospitals”.

Prof Pandit said: “With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients.

“The numbers of patients in hospital with flu is extremely high for this time of year.

“Even worse, it continues to rise – and the peak is not in sight yet – so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.

“NHS staff have pulled out all the stops to vaccinate more people than last year, and with just a week left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I would urge anyone eligible for the vaccine to please book an appointment or visit a walk-in site as soon as possible.”

The data also shows the waiting list for planned hospital treatment in England has risen slightly to 7.40 million treatments waiting to be carried out at the end of October, up from 7.39 million at the end of September.

The number of patients waiting for treatment is broadly unchanged at 6.24 million.

Dr Price, from the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The latest NHS monthly performance data released today paints a sadly familiar picture of a system under relentless strain.

“With record-12-hour waits continuing to mount – 50,648 last month, up 10.6% on last year – we are witnessing the appalling reality of corridor care on an unprecedented scale.

“While the ongoing ‘flu-nami’ is being invoked as the primary cause of the crisis, this is a convenient scapegoat when the reality is that the situation is a direct result of a long-standing and predictable breakdown in NHS capacity and workforce shortages.

“The situation in emergency departments has become so dire that what was once considered a critical incident is now seen as normal and routine.”

Elsewhere, pharmacy organisations insisted they have good stocks of the flu vaccine after reports some patients were struggling to get one.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent pharmacies Association, said: “Independent pharmacies across the country are reporting a big surge in inquiries about flu vaccinations and treatment, particularly as we approach Christmas.

“In some areas the vaccine stock is depleting, but most pharmacies have sufficient stock.

“The message to patients is clear: don’t panic, but please inquire with your local pharmacy about vaccination and getting protection.”

National Pharmacy Association head of pharmacy advice, Jasmine Shah, told the Press Association: “As at today, Thursday, there does not appear to be a general shortage of flu jabs affecting local independent pharmacies.

“While some primary care providers may have temporarily run out of stock, NPA member pharmacies are telling us they still have good availability and are able to vaccinate patients promptly.”