24 h. ago Hospitals in England ‘face dangerous winter overcrowding due to discharge delays’

Exclusive: Analysis of NHS data shows rise in patients ‘stranded’ in beds as flu crisis hits and resident doctors’ strikes loomHospitals in England face dangerous overcrowding this winter because even more patients than last year are “stranded” in a bed, according to an analysis of NHS figures.The findings come as the health service struggles to cope with the early onset of its usual winter crisis driven by a crippling “flu-nami” and the NHS in England is bracing itself for a five-day strike by resident doctors starting on Wednesday.The percentage of bed days used by patients whose discharge was delayed rose from 10.1% in 2024 to 11% this year, an increase of 9% or 19,000 bed days.That rise was driven by an 8% year-on-year rise in the number of discharges, equivalent to about 3,800 patients a month.The number of the NHS’s overall stock of about 100,000 general and acute beds occupied last winter by delayed discharge patients hit a peak of 14%, but it is likely to be even higher this...

Politics

3 d. ago Super flu – latest: Streeting says ‘terrifying’ virus surge and doctors’ strike could collapse NHS

Hospitalisations for flu in England hit highest ever levels for this time of year

Events

3 d. ago Super flu – latest: Streeting ‘genuinely fearful’ of NHS collapse as virus surges ahead of doctors’ strike

Hospitalisations for flu in England hit highest ever levels for this time of year

Science

3 d. ago ‘Time running out’ to get flu jab before Christmas, UK medical chief warns

The number of people in hospital in England with flu is at a record high for this time of year

Events

3 d. ago Super flu – latest: Streeting ‘can’t guarantee patients’ safety’ if doctors strike during virus wave

Hospitalisations for flu in England hit highest ever levels for this time of year

Science

3 d. ago Super flu – latest: Streeting warns NHS facing challenge ‘unlike any other since pandemic’ as cases surge

Hospitalisations for flu in England hit highest ever levels for this time of year

Events

3 d. ago Super flu – latest: Streeting warns NHS facing challenge ‘like any other since pandemic’ as cases surge

Hospitalisations for flu in England hit highest ever levels for this time of year

Events

3 d. ago NHS braces for worst winter flu crisis ever as hospital cases surge 55% in a week – latest

Hospitalisations for flu in England hit highest ever levels for this time of year

Sport

3 d. ago Hospital flu cases jump 55% in a week as NHS braces for ‘worst

Hospitalisations for flu in England hit highest ever levels for this time of year

Sport

4 d. ago Last chance to be vaccinated against flu in time for Christmas, UKHSA warns Britons

The number of people in hospital in England with flu is at a record high for this time of year

Events

4 d. ago NHS says second virus surging 35% as hospitals battle 'unprecedented flu

NHS England says hospitalisations for norovirus have surged by 35 per cent as the health service battles surging 'super flu' cases and faces a 'worst case scenario' December

Science

4 d. ago Superflu triggers 'worst case scenario' for ailing NHS as hospitalisations quadruple in worst

Surveillance programmes that monitor England's outbreak suggest flu hospital admissions are up 55 per cent on last week alone.

Science

5 d. ago Top doctor issues stark warning about risks of mutant flu strain for children as hospital admissions surge

The new H3N2 flu strain is different to the strain that this year’s vaccines were designed to protect against

Events

6 d. ago RAC tells all drivers to stop using 1 item to defrost windscreens in December

As freezing temperatures hit the UK this winter, motoring experts warn against dangerous defrosting methods. The RAC has urged drivers to stop using a common item

Politics

6 d. ago Interactive map reveals how many patients with mutant flu are currently being treated in YOUR local hospital

The number of hospital beds in England occupied by infected patients is already higher than ever for this time of year with 'no peak in sight', officials have warned.

Science

8 d. ago Thousands of patients in England at risk as GP referrals vanish into NHS ‘black hole’

Exclusive: Healthwatch study discovered 14% of cases are not put on hospital waiting lists for treatment GPs requested for themOne in seven people in England who need hospital care are not receiving it because the referral by their GP gets lost, rejected or delayed, the NHS’s own patient watchdog has found.Three-quarters (75%) of these patients trapped in this “referrals black hole” suffer harm to their physical or mental health as a result of not being added to the waiting list for tests or treatment. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago I'm a virus hunter... H3N2 is unlike any strain of flu I've ever seen, here's why it's causing havoc across the globe

Mandatory mask rules have been established in certain hospitals in England. Globally, people in Japan and parts of the US and Spain have already been urged to mask up.

Science

1 week ago Surgeon warns over cold cure that can injure thighs, abdomen and genitals

Jeremy Yarrow says hospitals 'see too many children and adults every winter' because of the dangerous practice

Events

1 week ago Flu 2025 sees 50% increase in NHS hospital admissions with one symptom worse this year

NHS data has sparked warning of a flu crisis at hospitals across England after statistics from last year show a 50% increase in the percentage of patients when compared to 2024

Science

1 week ago NHS hospitals in chaos as flu patients in beds across England rises more than 50%

NHS hospital data has revealed that hospitals across England may be facing chaos over Christmas with the number of flu patients in hospital beds now 50% more than last year

Science