UK facing worst winter flu crisis within a fortnight as cases surge

The NHS is bracing itself for its worst ever winter crisis descending in the next fortnight because of a worsening "flu-nami" that has left hospitals, GP surgeries and ambulances services under intense strain.

- Tobi Thomas Denis Campbell

Hospitals are already treating record numbers of people left seriously ill by flu for the time of year. But things would get worse in the days ahead, NHS leaders said, as medical chiefs urged people to get vaccinated against the virus so they could enjoy Christmas gatherings more safely.

Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting have launched a coordinated assault on the British Medical Association for its "irresponsible" decision to call thousands of resident doctors in England out on strike next week. The prime minister and health secretary urged the doctors - formerly known as junior doctors - to endorse the government's latest offer to settle the long-running pay and jobs dispute and thus avoid the NHS having to grapple with a five-day walkout due to start on 17 December that has caused huge alarm in the service.

Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, has already described the walkout as "cruel", "calculated" and designed to "cause mayhem", giving its timing. It may yet be called off, but only if enough resident doctors see an improved offer from Streeting on Wednesday as enough of a reason to do so.

New data released by NHS England yesterday showed that an average of 2,660 people a day were being treated in hospital last week as a direct result of flu - 55% up on the 1,717 seen the week before and enough to fill three entire NHS trusts. That 2,660 is the highest number ever seen in the first week of December, and included 106 people in intensive care, mostly with difficulty breathing.