View 2 Images

Hospitals across the UK are preparing for what some health chiefs are describing as a "tidal wave of flu ," amid concerns that a mix of post-festive season pressures and continued industrial action could spark mayhem on hospital wards. ‌

The warning follows NHS figures revealing a sharp rise in flu-related hospital admissions. The most recent statistics show that an average of 2,660 patients were taken into hospital with flu daily last week, marking an all-time high for flu admissions at this point in the year. ‌

This represented a 55% jump from the week before. Ambulance call-outs also climbed to 48,814 compared to last year (802,525 versus 753,711). ‌

"The flu predictions look worrying..." one hospital chief reportedly told the Health Service Journal. "If th

See Full Page