There is an unprecedented flu wave with a record number of patients admitted to hospitals, and the NHS warns there is no sign of cases peaking yet.
Latest figures show an average of 1,717 patients were in a hospital bed every day last week because of the flu.
This is 10 times higher than in the same week in 2023 (160), and more than 50 percent higher than last year (1,098).
For the NHS, the rising flu cases are set to coincide with industrial action by thousands of resident doctors.
The BMA has chosen to strike from 17 to 22 December, and it is expected to disrupt healthcare services ahead of Christmas.
Ambulances handed over 99,000 patients at hospitals last week – 4,500 more than in the same week last year.
However, the ambulance handover times were almost 10 minutes faster than last year.
The NHS has already delivered almost 17 million flu jabs; 350,000 more than this time last year.
With 98.7 percent GP practices offer online consultation requests for patients, 8 million benefited from this service in October.
National Medical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care Prof Julian Redhead said, “Today’s numbers confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter. Cases are incredibly high for this time of year and there is no peak in sight yet.
“The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite that, we know that ballooning flu cases coinciding with strikes may stretch our staff close to breaking point in the coming weeks.
“There have never been more ways for people can get the care they need, so for non-life-threatening care, people should call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place."
Health secretary Wes Streeting said, “Winter is a hard time for the NHS, but because we acted earlier than ever we’re seeing progress – with faster ambulance response and handover times compared to this time last year.
“This progress is being put in real jeopardy by the BMA’s leadership, whose reckless behaviour to time industrial action at the height of winter, will put more patients are risk and bear down hard on their NHS colleagues in the run up to Christmas."
