NHS England said on 11 December 2025 that an average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu last week, the highest ever for this time of year and up 55% on the previous week1. The service said the total has already risen sharply since the week covered by the data, with no peak in sight1.
The same weekly figures show norovirus patients in hospital beds rose by 35% to an average of 354 each day last week1. Monthly data also published that day recorded A&E attendances of 2.35 million in November, a record for the month and more than 30,000 higher than November 2024, and 802,525 ambulance incidents compared with 753,711 a year earlier, a rise of 48,8141. The average ambulance response time for Category 2 emergencies including strokes and heart attacks was 32 minutes 46 seconds, almost 10 minutes faster than in October 20241. The waiting list in October rose slightly by 6,002 to 7.40 million, an estimated 6.24 million patients, still below the 7.54 million of a year earlier, and 2.62 million checks and tests were performed in October, the highest on record1.
On vaccination, NHS England said more than 17.4 million people have been vaccinated so far this year, over 170,000 more than at this time last year, and that over 60,000 more frontline healthcare workers have had their flu vaccinations than at a similar point last year1.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said:
"Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead."
Why it matters for households
The pressure on hospital and ambulance services coincides with industrial action. NHS England said resident doctors will strike for five days from 7am on Wednesday 17 December1. Its advice for the public during the strikes is to attend any planned appointments unless contacted to reschedule, to use 111 online as the first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues so that people can be directed to the best place for their needs, and to continue to use 999 or attend A&E as normal for emergency medical care1. The NHS is urging anyone eligible for the flu vaccination to take it up to help prevent serious illness1. Professor Pandit said there was just a week left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day and urged anyone eligible to book an appointment or visit a walk-in site as soon as possible1. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said there is a "tidal wave of flu" and urged resident doctors to vote for the offer made to the BMA and call off the Christmas strikes1. The flu guide sets out symptoms, staying at home and when to get help, and the health emergencies hub covers wider health incidents.
What happens next
The resident doctors' strike is due to run from 7am on 17 December to 22 December1. NHS England said the flu total has continued to rise since the week covered by the figures and that no peak is in sight1.
Flu Symptoms and Getting Help
