NHS Faces 'Quad-demic' as Winter Viruses Push Hospitals to Capacity

A surge in flu, Covid-19, norovirus, and RSV has left 95% of NHS hospital beds occupied, with health leaders warning of worsening conditions in the months ahead.

Hospital admissions for flu have quadrupled compared to last year, with over 1,000 patients hospitalized daily, including 39 in critical care.
An average of 96,587 hospital beds in England were occupied daily last week, the highest recorded for this time of year, leaving only 5% of beds available.
Health officials are urging eligible individuals to get flu and Covid-19 vaccinations, as uptake among high-risk groups and NHS staff is at a decade low.
Ambulance delays have reached record levels, with over 36% of patients waiting more than 30 minutes to be handed over to emergency departments.
Experts warn that addressing emergency care challenges is essential to reducing waiting lists for routine treatments, as the NHS struggles with workforce shortages and rising demand.