NHS braces for ‘unprecedented flu wave’ as hospitalised cases in England rise

The GuardianThursday, December 4, 2025 at 2:43:29 PM
NHS braces for ‘unprecedented flu wave’ as hospitalised cases in England rise
  • The NHS is currently facing an unprecedented flu wave, with hospitalised cases in England reaching an average of 1,717 patients per day last week, marking a 56% increase compared to the previous year. This surge follows an unusually early start to the flu season, with 69 patients reported in critical condition.
  • This alarming rise in flu cases places immense pressure on the NHS, which is already grappling with high demand for emergency care. The situation raises concerns about the capacity of healthcare services to manage both flu patients and other urgent medical needs effectively.
  • The current flu crisis is compounded by broader issues within the NHS, including a significant increase in patients leaving emergency departments without treatment, which has tripled over the past six years. Additionally, delays in critical diagnostic tests for conditions such as cancer and heart disease have left hundreds of thousands at risk, highlighting systemic challenges in the healthcare system.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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