6 February 2025
Busiest week for hospitals this winter as norovirus cases continue to rise
NHS England reports the busiest week of the winter for hospitals, with 961 patients a day in hospital with norovirus and record bed occupancy for the week.
Health news
We cover news from public bodies and utility companies for UK households on power cuts, weather, water, health, safety and security. Each report includes the date and sources, with links to our guides.
February 2025
January 2025
31 January 2025
Last day for eligible patients to get a winter Covid-19 vaccine at walk-in sites
NHS England has said 31 January 2025 is the last day eligible people can get a winter Covid-19 vaccine at local services or walk-in sites, as norovirus hospital cases reach their winter high.
30 January 2025
NHS norovirus pressure hits winter high
NHS England reports norovirus hospital bed occupancy at its highest level so far this winter, with an average of 898 patients a day in hospital with the virus last week.
23 January 2025
NHS England reports flu cases have peaked but remain almost 2.5 times higher than last year
NHS England says flu cases have fallen from their peak but remain almost 2.5 times higher than last year, with 3,833 patients a day in hospital in the week ending 19 January 2025.
19 January 2025
Norovirus cases in English hospitals surge to highest January level since 2020
NHS England figures show 784 patients a day in English hospitals had norovirus in the week ending 19 January 2025, almost 80% more than the same week last year and the highest January level since…
9 January 2025
NHS services in Cheshire and Merseyside under rising pressure during cold weather
NHS services across Cheshire and Merseyside are under rising pressure as an amber Cold-health alert for the north west is extended to 9am on Tuesday 14 January, the NHS trust says.
2 January 2025
Amber Cold-Health Alert issued for all regions of England
The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber Cold-Health Alert for all regions of England from midday on 2 January 2025, replacing a yellow alert, with the alert later extended into mid-January.
December 2024
17 December 2024
NHS warns of earlier-than-usual flu wave as booking service closure nears
NHS England has urged eligible people to book flu and COVID-19 vaccinations before the National Booking Service closes on 19 December, after flu cases in hospital rose by 70% in a week.
13 December 2024
Deadline set for booking COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments
NHS England has set a deadline of the end of the day on Thursday 19 December for eligible people in England to book COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments through the NHS App, NHS website or 119.
12 December 2024
Winter vaccine bookings more than double after NHS flu warning
NHS England says flu and COVID-19 jab bookings through its national booking system rose 124% in a day, from 9,452 on Wednesday to 21,144 on Thursday, after it warned of a flu "tidal wave" hitting…
12 December 2024
NHS warns of 70% rise in flu hospital cases in a week
The NHS warned of a 70% rise in flu hospital cases in a week, with an average of 1,861 flu patients in hospital daily last week, and bookings for winter vaccines more than doubled the next day.
9 December 2024
NHS urges eligible people to get flu jab by 11 December for Christmas protection
NHS England has urged eligible people to have a flu vaccination by Wednesday 11 December so they are protected for Christmas, as hospitals report record flu levels for the time of year.
9 December 2024
First-ever RSV vaccine offer to pregnant women and 75 to 79 year olds in England
NHS England says the RSV vaccine is being offered for the first time to pregnant women from 28 weeks and to adults aged 75 to 79, alongside a push for flu and COVID-19 jabs before Christmas.
7 December 2024
More than 16,500 999 and 111 calls taken in one day as winter demand arrives early
London Ambulance Service took more than 16,500 999 and 111 calls on Saturday 7 December 2024, demand it said it would not usually see until well into January.
1 December 2024
Average category 2 ambulance response times rose to 47 minutes
Average ambulance response times for suspected heart attacks and strokes in England reached 47 minutes in December 2024, against a 30-minute target, with the East Midlands worst at 66 minutes.
November 2024
20 November 2024
First cold episode of winter 2024 to 2025 affects England
The first cold episode of winter 2024 to 2025 ran from 20 to 21 November 2024, with amber Cold Health Alerts in six regions of England and yellow alerts in the other three, the UK Health Security…
18 November 2024
First amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the winter season issued
The UK Health Security Agency issued the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the winter season for five English regions, with a new amber alert for the East of England and yellow alerts for three…
1 November 2024
UKHSA issues first yellow cold weather alert of the year
The UK Health Security Agency issued its first yellow cold weather alert of the year for five English regions, lasting until 21 November 2024, as National Energy Action warned of the impact on…
1 November 2024
London Ambulance Service launches 999 Winter Plan for 2024
The London Ambulance Service has set out a 999 Winter Plan for 2024, adding ambulances, phone clinicians and NHS coordination, after call volumes rose and the Trust moved to its highest escalation…
1 November 2024
London Ambulance Service moves to REAP 4 escalation
London Ambulance Service moved to its highest escalation level, REAP 4, after 999 call volumes rose sharply, with more than 7,000 calls on 25 November 2024.