Official figures released by NHS England show that the number of flu patients in hospitals across England has spiked by 56% compared with the same period last year. The early onset of the flu season means that an average of 1,717 flu patients occupied beds daily last week, putting immense pressure on healthcare services. Health leaders warn that this surge, which includes dozens of critical care patients, has not yet peaked. These statistics confirm that the NHS is entering a challenging winter period compounded by early viral activity.
December 4, 2025. theguardian.com