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Flu-related hospitalisations in England have jumped sharply ahead of the coldest months, with the NHS reporting figures more than 50% higher than this time last year.

The increase comes as hospitals brace for the usual winter pressures that stretch staff and resources across the health service.

The first NHS winter situation report of the year reveals that an average of 1,717 people were in hospital beds with flu each day last week. Of those, 69 were in critical care units- a significant rise from the same week in 2024, when 1,098 patients were admitted with flu and 39 required intensive care. The NHS said the latest numbers indicate a 56% year-on-year increase.

This year’s early spike also surpasses the levels seen in the past two winters. At this point in 2023,

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