Hospital admissions for norovirus have reached their highest level of the winter season in England, placing sustained pressure on NHS services as seasonal illnesses continue to disrupt healthcare operations. Health leaders have reported that an average of 950 hospital beds were occupied each day last week by patients suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting, or norovirus-like symptoms.
Significant Increase in Norovirus Cases
This latest figure represents a substantial 15% rise from the previous week, when 823 patients were recorded on average. Furthermore, it exceeds the comparable period last year, which saw 898 patients hospitalised with the condition. The escalation highlights the ongoing challenge that winter viruses pose to the health system, with cases of the so-called winter vomiting bug now triple what they were at the beginning of the month.
Flu Admissions Show Encouraging Decline
In contrast to the norovirus trend, the number of flu patients in hospitals has fallen to its lowest point in nearly two months. During the week ending January 25, an average of 1,987 individuals were hospitalised with flu each day, marking a 21% decrease from 2,519 the week before. This is the lowest tally since the week ending November 30, when the figure was 1,717, after peaking at 3,140 in mid-December.
The number of flu patients requiring critical care beds also dropped to 74 last week, down from 82 previously. This reduction is partly attributed to the NHS's vaccination efforts, which have delivered half a million more jabs than at the same time last year.
Improvements in Ambulance Handover Times
The NHS situation report indicates positive developments in ambulance handover delays. Last week, 30% of patients arriving by ambulance waited at least 30 minutes to be transferred to A&E teams, down from 33% the previous week. Additionally, the proportion of handovers delayed by over an hour fell to 10%, equivalent to 9,683 patients, from 12% previously.
Health Officials Respond to Winter Pressures
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England's national medical director, commented on the situation, stating: "Hospitals continue to face sustained pressure from viruses and other demands, but NHS staff have worked hard to tackle winter head-on and it looks like this is having an impact." She emphasised that the NHS prepared earlier for winter than ever before, leading to improvements in ambulance handover times and fewer flu hospitalisations.
Professor Pandit also issued a public health reminder: "You can prevent the spread of norovirus by frequent handwashing with soap and water and not returning to work, school or visiting hospitals until you are 48 hours symptom-free."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the efforts of frontline staff, saying: "This winter has pushed the NHS hard, but staff are delivering. Ambulances are handing over faster, delays are coming down, and flu is taking up fewer hospital beds than last year, even with demand running at near-record levels." He noted that while winter pressures persist, the NHS is confronting them directly with better preparation and dedication.
The data underscores a mixed picture for the NHS this winter, with norovirus admissions climbing to a new high, yet flu cases declining and ambulance performance showing signs of improvement amid ongoing challenges.
