Last week was the busiest yet for the NHS this winter, amid sky-high virus rates which have left hospitals ‘jampacked’ with patients. New data published today shows that more hospital beds were occupied last week (w/e 12 Jan) than at any point so far this winter (97,636), with 96% of adult general and acute hospital […]

NHS staff have ramped up the flu vaccination campaign by jabbing almost a quarter of a million more people this winter compared to last winter. Services across the country have faced extreme pressures from one of the worst winters on record with 5,408 patients a day in hospital with flu in the first week of […]

NHS staff experienced the busiest year on record for A&E and ambulance services last year, new figures show today, as flu continues to pile pressure on hospitals into 2025. There was an average of 5,408 patients a day in hospital with flu last week, including 256 in critical care – 3.5 times higher than the […]

New NHS data covering the Christmas and New Year period shows flu cases have continued to skyrocket, with over 5,000 patients hospitalised with the virus at the end of last week. Last week (w/e 29 Dec) there were an average of 4,469 patients with flu in hospital each day – almost 3.5 times higher than […]

NHS national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “The winter flu season has not only hit the NHS early this year, but it is potentially on track to be one of the worst we have ever seen, as the ‘quad-demic’ continues to increase pressure across services. “Frontline NHS staff are currently under significant pressure […]

Booze, burns and bites are top of the list of NHS health advice being sought over Christmas. The NHS website’s information on alcohol, burns, rabies and animal bites showed the biggest increases in visits on Christmas Day and Boxing Day last year, newly released figures from NHS England show. Top of the list was advice […]

The head of the NHS in England has praised staff for “working tirelessly” and “constantly innovating” to modernise care for patients in her Christmas message to health workers. Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England, spoke about how NHS innovations are improving care and providing better value for money during a visit to Sutton Health […]

England’s top doctor is warning the public about the risk of ‘bargain-basement’ Brazilian butt lifts, following a stream of deals being offered by overseas clinics in the run up to Christmas.  The NHS has seen clinics offering 25% discounts, all-inclusive packages including hotels and flights for under £3,000, as well as finance deals in a […]

Flu cases in hospital have already surpassed last year’s peak as festive infections “flood” hospitals early this winter. Latest weekly figures published today show one in 20 hospital beds are being taken up or closed by a festive bug, with 2,504 general and acute beds alone being taken up by flu patients – an increase of almost 40% on […]

Hundreds of thousands of older and frail patients will receive urgent treatment from home this winter, as part of NHS plans to manage additional pressure this winter. Rapid teams based in local neighbourhoods will attend less clinically urgent calls within two hours and treat patients for a range of conditions and issues at home. From […]