The number of children admitted to intensive care units is increasing significantly as hospitals in England experience a surge in flu cases. Health officials report that the average daily admissions for flu have reached record levels for this time of year, prompting concerns for the NHS’s capacity to manage the rising patient numbers. Despite a slight slowdown in the growth rate, officials caution that hospitals are “nowhere near out of the woods yet.”
Data from NHS England reveals that an average of 316 children’s critical care beds were occupied each day last week, a slight increase from 311 the previous week and up from 293 at the end of November. Simultaneously, an average of 3,140 flu patients were hospitalized daily last week, marking an 18 percent increase from 2,660 the previous week. This figure is starkly higher than the 2,629 patients recorded at this time last year and significantly above 648 in 2023.
Flu Cases Reach Record Levels
The increase in flu cases continues to strain the healthcare system. Last winter, weekly flu numbers peaked at 5,408 patients, while the previous winter reached 5,441—the highest levels since the pandemic began. NHS England noted some positive developments, with indications that the rise in flu cases is slowing in specific regions, particularly in the North West. Here, the average number of hospitalized flu patients fell to 386, down 4 percent from the previous week’s 403.
In contrast, other regions have witnessed significant increases. The South West saw a 40 percent increase in admissions, rising from 139 to 195. Eastern England reported a 39 percent increase, moving from 207 to 287. Other areas, including the South East, North East, London, and the Midlands, also experienced notable rises in flu-related hospitalizations.
Strikes and Staffing Challenges Complicate Situation
The situation is further complicated by a strike by resident doctors in England, now entering its second day, as they advocate for better pay and job security. The ongoing strike, coupled with the influx of flu cases, puts additional pressure on the NHS. An average of 427 hospital beds were filled daily last week by patients suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting, or norovirus-like symptoms, up 21 percent from the previous week.
Staffing levels are also a concern, with approximately 54,335 members of NHS staff absent daily due to illness or self-isolation, an increase from 52,234 the prior week. This growing absenteeism adds to the strain on healthcare services, especially as the winter season progresses.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England’s national medical director, emphasized the ongoing challenges. She stated, “While some parts of the country will be breathing a sigh of relief with flu cases not rising as quickly as feared, we are nowhere near out of the woods yet.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting echoed these sentiments, highlighting the significant strain flu places on the NHS. He stated, “Flu continues to put significant strain on the NHS, with record numbers of patients in hospital, and frontline services remaining under enormous pressure.”
Officials are urging the public to get vaccinated against the flu as the New Year approaches, stressing the importance of continued access to NHS services during this critical period.
