At the heart of England’s healthcare system, hospitals are grappling with a flu season that has arrived early, hit harder, and shows no sign of letting up. From the bustling corridors of Leicester Royal Infirmary to the packed wards of London’s largest hospitals, staff and patients alike are feeling the strain of what NHS leaders are calling an "unprecedented wave" of super flu.
By midday on December 11, 2025, every bed at Leicester Royal Infirmary’s acute unit was occupied, the BBC reported. As soon as one patient left, cleaning crews rushed in to sanitize, and the next patient was already waiting outside. It’s a relentless cycle, fueled by a more severe strain of the flu—mutated H3N2—that experts say has made this year’s outbreak both earlier and more intense than usual.
Consultant Saad Jawaid described the scene as "patients in every cubical," with ambulances arriving one after another. On just one day, 932 patients streamed through the emergency department—an 8% increase over last year. The hospital faced a daily shortage of 50 to 70 beds, with 64 beds already filled by those suffering from respiratory viruses, including flu.
The pressure isn’t limited to adults. Children’s waiting areas fill up by late afternoon, with respiratory cases of flu and bronchiolitis rising rapidly. In just half an hour, 30 children arrived at Leicester’s A&E. Five-month-old Oscar was one of them, diagnosed with bronchiolitis after his mother rushed him in when he began wheezing and struggling to breathe. "These bugs are everywhere at the moment—Oscar’s older brother brought it home from school and now Oscar has it," his mother explained to the BBC.
Across the country, the numbers are staggering. According to NHS England, the week leading up to December 7 saw an average of 2,660 flu cases per day in English hospitals—a rise of more than 50% from the previous week. Officials warned there was no sign of the "super flu" wave peaking, with some fearing that cases could top 5,000 by the coming weekend. Nearly one in ten hospital beds are now occupied by flu patients, and the dominant H3N2 strain’s genetic changes mean the population has less immunity, making the virus particularly potent this year.
London’s hospitals are facing what NHS England’s medical director, Prof Meghana Pandit, called a "worst-case scenario." Dr. Chris Streather, medical director for NHS London, said, "The numbers of patients in hospital with flu is extremely high for this time of year. Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet." Last week alone, London hospitals averaged 380 flu patients per day—a record for this time of year and 46.7% higher than the previous week, according to PA Media.
The surge has ripple effects throughout the system. Ambulance handovers in London topped 16,600 last week, with a daily average of 2,371—significantly higher than last year’s 2,210 per day. Some patients have waited extraordinary lengths for care: one at Leicester Royal Infirmary endured 106 hours before being admitted to a ward, while another waited 34 hours with a stomach bug.
To manage the overwhelming demand, hospitals have introduced new patient flow systems. At Leicester, a bank of receptionists, nurses, and consultants now assesses patients at the entrance, speeding up triage and ensuring those most in need receive urgent care. Still, with the range of cases growing more polarized—some patients arriving with life-threatening conditions, others with minor complaints after failing to get GP appointments—staff are forced to redirect about one in ten patients to GPs or pharmacies. Security has even been increased, with glass screens and 24-hour guards after a violent incident.
Meanwhile, hospitals have expanded their capacity wherever possible. Prefabricated structures at Leicester have been converted into a permanent 14-bed unit, all of which were full during the BBC’s visit. Preston Lodge, a former care home, now provides 25 beds for patients needing rehabilitation or awaiting care packages, with 14 more beds set to open on December 15. "We aim to get people better ready for going home and hopefully keep them stronger and more independent so they aren't back in hospital so frequently over the winter," said Emma Roberts, head of nursing.
But even these efforts may not be enough. Richard Mitchell, chief executive of University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, acknowledged, "At this point I feel we are working at the limits of our ability." Looking ahead to the first week of January—traditionally the busiest—he warned that freeing up more emergency beds would mean delaying other operations and procedures. "We will not be able to provide timely care to every patient this winter but we will continue to do our utmost to ensure that patients are treated with dignity and respect to ensure they receive safe care and we will do everything possible to manage those waiting times," Mitchell told the BBC.
The crisis is compounded by a looming strike by resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors), set to begin December 17 and last five days. The British Medical Association is polling its members on whether to call off the strike after a government offer, but tensions remain high. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticized the planned strike, urging the BMA to accept the government’s offer and "step back from next week’s strike, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, particularly when we've got a problem with flu." NHS Providers, representing hospitals, echoed this plea, warning that "now more than ever, the NHS needs all hands on deck."
Beyond England, the situation is similarly dire. Scotland saw flu infection rates rise by nearly 25% and hospital admissions increase by 15% in the last week. Wales and Northern Ireland reported comparable surges, with children and young people particularly hard hit. Some schools have even reinstated Covid-era measures or reduced hours to stem the spread.
Amid the chaos, vaccination remains the strongest line of defense. More than 1.8 million Londoners have received their flu jab since September, and NHS England has delivered nearly 17 million vaccines nationwide this autumn—350,000 more than last year. Community vaccination drives are popping up everywhere, from clinics to football matches. Yet, "vaccine fatigue" and hesitancy are real obstacles, especially in neighborhoods like Barking and Dagenham, where NHS leaders have worked to offer additional clinics on weekends and evenings.
Health officials are urging eligible individuals—those over 65, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions—to get vaccinated before Christmas. "There is still plenty of flu vaccine available to protect those who need it—what’s running out is time to be protected ahead of Christmas," said Dr. Conall Watson of the UK Health Security Agency. It takes up to two weeks to build full immunity after the jab, so, as Watson put it, "If you are eligible this is the last chance to get protected as we head into Christmas—so make an appointment with the NHS today."
Despite these efforts, the system is straining under the combined weight of flu, norovirus (now occupying over 350 beds), and persistent staffing shortages. Dr. Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, summed up the mood: "The situation in emergency departments has become so dire that what was once considered a critical incident is now seen as normal and routine. What is happening is not an isolated emergency, but the culmination of systemic failure."
With winter only just beginning, hospitals, staff, and communities face a daunting road ahead, racing against time, viruses, and the limits of a stretched system.
