The region’s NHS is set for a challenging run up to the new year as demand on services increases and flu hospitalisations climb by more than half in a week, new figures reveal.

An average of 207 patients per day were in an East of England hospital bed with flu last week – an increase of more than 59% on the week before – and this comes as demand on the region’s A&E departments and ambulance services is soaring.

Latest monthly figures show A&E attendances in November at hospitals in the East of England were well over 233,000 (233,566).

There were 6,857 more ambulance incidents in the region compared to last year (83,496 in November 2025 vs 76,639 in November 2024), with this week, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust moving to its highest escalation level in response to sustained high demand and delays handing patients over at hospitals.

Despite this pressure, average ambulance response time in the East of England for Category 2 emergencies including strokes and heart attacks was more than 14 minutes faster than in November 2024.

The NHS is urging anyone eligible to get their flu vaccination to help prevent them getting seriously ill. Latest data shows so far this year more than 2.2 million people in the East of England have been vaccinated – almost 92,000 more than this time last year.

At the same time, over 8,500 more frontline healthcare workers in the East of England have had their flu vaccinations so far this year compared to a similar time last year, with hundreds more expected to get jabbed in the coming days.

As demand on the region’s NHS surges, it is bracing for another five days of planned industrial action by resident doctors, which is set to begin at 7am next Wednesday (17 December) – sparking fears of major disruption for patients ahead of Christmas.

The public are advised to attend any planned appointments scheduled during the strikes unless they have been contacted to reschedule.

Primary and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available for those who need them. The public should use 111 online as the first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues during industrial action so they can be directed to the best place for their needs.

Patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal.

Adam Cayley, chief operating officer for the NHS in the East of England, said: “With already high demand across the East of England’s A&E departments and on ambulance services, along with another impending resident doctors’ strike, this climb in flu cases means the NHS in the East of England is facing the prospect of a tough run up to the new year – with staff under pressure to keep providing the best possible care for patients.

“Our NHS staff across the region have worked incredibly hard to vaccinate more people against flu than last year but with Christmas fast approaching, I strongly urge anyone eligible to book a vaccination appointment or visit a walk-in site as soon as possible to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day.

“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.

“Whilst we have plans in place for strikes, we welcome the British Medical Association surveying its members on the government’s latest offer to resident doctors, which has the potential to end next week’s planned action.

“As ever, anyone needing non-life-threatening care 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.”

Vaccination remains the best defence against flu for children and adults, giving strong protection this year despite the emergence of a new flu sub-strain driving an unusually early flu season. Vaccination is the best protection against getting potentially very ill and also helps protect those around you.

The vaccine typically takes two weeks to become fully effective, making it essential to get vaccinated now to be protected through the festive season.

Latest figures show the NHS waiting list nationally in October rose slightly by 6,002 to 7.40 million – an estimated 6.24 million patients in the country – but still significantly lower than a year ago, when it stood at 7.54 million. Meanwhile, 283,782 vital checks and tests were performed in the East of England in October.

This winter, there are more ways to access care from the NHS, making it simpler and quicker for people to get the help they need.

Pharmacies give patients access to quick, easy support – including prescription-only medicines – for common conditions including sore throat, sinusitis and earache.

Nearly all (98.7%) GP practices in England now offer online consultation requests for patients, with 8 million benefitting in October.

The NHS App also allows patients to request appointments, check their health records, receive reminders, or even order repeat prescriptions.

The NHS recently launched a campaign raising awareness of the range of ways to access care, including a striking short film titled ‘24 Hours Not In A&E’ to help people navigate their health concerns and avoid unnecessary visits to A&E departments and GPs.

Notes to editors 

• All statistics on NHS performance, flu hospital admissions and flu vaccination uptake are published on NHS England’s website.
• Weekly updates on urgent and emergency care services will be published on the NHS England website each Thursday throughout winter.
• Those eligible for the free flu vaccine include people aged 65 and over, those in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, children, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff.
• Eligible adults can book their flu vaccine appointment now via the NHS App, their GP practice, online at www.nhs.uk/bookflu, by calling 119 or by finding their nearest walk-in service at a local pharmacy.