Here's a breakdown of the issues facing the NHS this winter

The Health Secretary has warned the NHS is facing its most precarious position since the pandemic, citing a "tsunami of flu." This warning comes as hospitalisations for flu are at a record level for this time of year, with the peak still expected to come.

Last week, an average of 2,660 patients were hospitalised with flu every day in England, significantly higher than in previous years. Hospital admission rates are currently over 50% greater than they were during the same period last year.

The most affected patient groups are individuals over the age of 75 and children under five years old. These high admission rates mean hospital beds are currently at 95% capacity, complicating patient flow.

Compounding the flu crisis, reside

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