England’s hospitals are under siege from a record spike in mutant flu cases.
Surveillance programmes that monitor England’s outbreak suggest flu hospital admissions are up 55 per cent on last week alone.
Figures show more than 2,600 beds alone were taken up by flu patients every day last week, the highest ever for this time of year.
Of these, 106 were in critical care beds, up over a third on the 69 logged last week.
In seven NHS trusts alone, hospitalisations have more than quadrupled on the previous week.
Health chiefs today warned the virus had plunged the NHS into a ‘worst case scenario’ situation, with with ‘still no flu peak in sight’.
Projections have suggested there could be between 5,000 and 8,000 hospital cases by the end of this week. The highest ever recorded was 5,400.
Rates of the winter vomiting bug norovirus, meanwhile, are also up 35 per cent in hospitals compared to the previous week, as winter viruses engulf hospitals.
Separate NHS figures also show A&E demand hit a record high in November at 2.35 million while there were over 48,000 more ambulance incidents compared to last year.
At least six hospitals have already declared ‘critical incidents’ amid the surge in flu that has also seen Covid-era mask mandates reintroduced and visitor bans implemented.
Bosses yesterday also issued an urgent plea to parents to get their children vaccinated against flu in a bid to protect their grandparents at Christmas.
The Liberal Democrats today also called for an ’emergency vaccination scheme’ to be launched in village halls, supermarkets, pubs and churches across England, calling upon people who volunteered in the pandemic to help put jabs in arms.
Yet despite safety fears, the British Medical Association (BMA) has still planned to stage a five-day strike next week following a row over resident doctors’ pay and working conditions.
Thousands of medics — formerly known as junior doctors — who are demanding a 26 per cent pay rise, are set to walk out from December 17 until December 22.
In a last-minute attempt to thwart the action, the Government yesterday put forward an offer to the BMA, which they will now put to their members. The result, however, won’t be known until Monday.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting accused doctors threatening to strike next week of ‘dousing the NHS in petrol and lighting a match’.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, 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.
‘Vaccination is the best protection against getting potentially very ill and it also helps protect those around you.
‘We have prepared earlier for winter than ever before, and stress-tested services to ensure people have a range of ways to get the help they need and avoid needing to go to A&E.
‘For non-life-threatening care, people should call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place, and use A&E and 999 for life threatening conditions and serious injuries.’
Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, also said: ‘Clinicians across the country are reporting an overload of patients not just with flu, but also norovirus and RSV, all of which place further strain an already buckling system.
‘What is perhaps most concerning is the shifting definition of what constitutes a ‘critical incident’ in the NHS.
‘As waiting times stretch to 12, 18 and even 24 hours, the thresholds for crisis seem to be constantly moved.
‘The situation in emergency departments has become so dire that what was once considered a critical incident is now seen as normal and routine.
‘What is happening is not an isolated emergency but the culmination of systemic failure.’
According to the data, an average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital each day last week.
At this point last year the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402.
Whittington Health, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals, Royal Berkshire, Royal Surrey County Hospitals, Sherwood Forest Hospitals, University Hospitals Southampton and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trusts all saw flu hospitalisations at least quadruple last week.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust saw the highest number of flu hospitalisations last week, with 254 beds occupied as of December 7.
Of these, seven were in critical care.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust followed with 101 beds, of which six were critical care.
Barts Health NHS Trust, meanwhile logged 84 beds occupied by flu patients.
The troublesome mutant H3N2 flu strain is believed to be more infectious and leading to more severe illness and hospital admissions than last year.
Dubbed subclade K or the ‘super flu’, it mutated seven times over the summer, helping it to evade previous immunity, sparking alarm among experts.
Since September, health officials have urged the millions eligible to come forward for their Covid and flu jabs, to reduce their risk of becoming severely unwell and needing hospital care.
Yesterday, bosses also issued an urgent plea to parents to get their children vaccinated against flu in a bid to protect their grandparents at Christmas.
People who are aged over 65, those with long term health conditions, pregnant women, care home residents and carers are eligible for a free jab.
There are signs that calls for eligible Brits to roll up their sleeves and get jabbed have been heard, with more than 17.4 million vaccines now administered in England — over 170,000 more than this time last year.
But pharmacy leaders today warned that Britons may need to travel out of their local areas to get their flu vaccination, as chemists struggle to cope with an increase in demand—with some running out of stock entirely.
Some people have also struggled to get an appointment for a jab, sparking panic on social media.
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.’
