Influenza: Health Services
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of increases in cases of flu on NHS healthcare provision.
Answered by Karin Smyth
During winter there is an increase in hospital admissions from seasonal respiratory conditions such as flu. This can impact hospital occupancy and the flow of patients through hospitals, which in turn impacts on accident and emergency, and ambulance services. Respiratory conditions can also impact the number of staff absences, which can further increase pressure on the provision of health care.
This year the number of beds occupied with flu has been higher than last year. The latest data shows there were, on average, 4,693 patients in hospital with flu in the week ending 12 January 2025, above the peak figure of 2,478 reported during winter 2023/24.
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