NHS Remains Under Pressure Despite Stabilising Flu Cases as Winter Viruses Continue to Circulate

The National Health Service has been described as navigating “calmer waters but not out of danger” as the latest data reveals that whilst influenza cases have begun to stabilise, hospitals continue to operate under considerable strain heading into the new year.

According to figures published on 31st December 2025, hospital admissions for flu exceeded 3,000 in the week preceding Christmas, representing a marginal decline from the previous week. Healthcare officials attribute the stabilisation partly to enhanced vaccination efforts, with approximately half a million more individuals receiving flu jabs compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

Despite the plateau in flu cases, NHS facilities remain operating at near capacity, with adult bed occupancy standing at approximately 95 per cent and an average of 94,118 patients requiring hospital care daily. The healthcare system continues to manage multiple winter viruses simultaneously, with an average of 707 Covid patients hospitalised and 285 norovirus cases requiring daily admission during the most recent reporting period.

Vaccination programme data indicates that nearly 18.5 million people have received flu immunisation according to the latest statistics, surpassing last year’s figures by half a million recipients during the same timeframe.

Operational metrics show some positive developments amid the sustained pressure. Ambulance handover times have improved by six minutes compared to the previous week and by more than 17 minutes relative to the same period last year. The NHS 111 service has also demonstrated enhanced performance, with more than 80 per cent of calls answered within one minute, up from just over 70 per cent the preceding week. These improvements have materialised despite winter virus pressures and concurrent industrial action by resident doctors.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, warned that the health service remains vulnerable, emphasising the critical importance of continued vaccination uptake as influenza cases persist in certain geographical areas. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow cold health alerts for England as temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing in coming days, potentially intensifying demands on hospital services.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted that advance planning and modernisation efforts, including enhanced clinical leadership, digital tool adoption and increased local autonomy, have contributed to improved performance metrics. However, he acknowledged that challenges persist and expressed gratitude for NHS staff performance during an exceptionally demanding winter period.

Healthcare authorities continue to urge eligible individuals who have not yet received flu vaccination to come forward, stressing that immunisation remains beneficial despite the advanced stage of the winter season. The public has also been advised to reserve 999 and accident and emergency services for life-threatening situations, utilising NHS 111 telephone and online services for other medical concerns.