NHS Faces Potential Collapse Amid Unprecedented Flu Surge Sweeping Through Hospitals

THE NHS could collapse as a “tidal wave” of mutant superflu “tears through our hospitals”, Wes Streeting has warned.

The health service revealed it was facing a “worst-case scenario” this month due to an “unprecedented wave of superflu” poised to engulf hospitals at the same time .

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Last week, an average of 2,660 patients were in hospital with the each day – the highest ever for this time of year and 55 per cent up on last week.

The health secretary said this number could “triple by the peak of the pressures” and that it will be the most challenging winter for the NHS since the pandemic.

The infections are being driven by strain of flu, dubbed ‘subclade K’ or H3N2 which Sun columnist and GP warned is “more severe” than normal flu and “more infectious”.

The health secretary, said the number of people in hospital could “triple by the peak of the pressures” and that it will be the most challenging winter for the NHS since the pandemic.

It comes as hospitals prepare for a five-day strike on Wednesday by resident doctors, formally known as junior doctors.

This will force wards to scramble for cover at the height of the flu outbreak, amid urgent NHS warnings for people to get vaccinated.

Some hospitals have reinstated Covid-era mask mandates for staff, patients and visitors to help quell the spread of flu.

“It it’s an incredibly precarious situation,” Wes said, writing for The Times.

“And Christmas strikes could be the Jenga piece that collapses the tower.”

made a last-ditch jobs offer to try to persuade medics to call off the strike. It has been put to British Medical Association (BMA) members who will vote on Monday.

The deal would prioritise access to jobs for UK graduates, plus extra training posts and cash for exams and professional fees.

Dr Shivam Sharma, deputy chair of the BMA resident doctors committee, said he “found it difficult to see members accepting this offer” because it did not increase their pay.

He told Times Radio: “Let us remember that we have a dispute on both pay and jobs. And this offer does absolutely nothing on pay.”

The BMA wants a 26 per cent pay rise, on top of an extra 28.9 per cent they have received over the past two years, the highest pay rise in the public sector.

Young woman wearing face mask while walking in the streets of LondonCredit: Getty

NHS officials said there are now , after the total surged from 1,968 on November 30 to 2,781 on December 7.

There are dozens who are in intensive care.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) predicts that by the end of the week, some 8,000 patients in England could be in hospital with the virus. The highest ever recorded was 5,400.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said: “This unprecedented wave of superflu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year, with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients.

“The number 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, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.”

The worst hit NHS Trust is University Hospitals Birmingham, where 269 patients are in wards with flu.

It has declared a “critical incident due to the extreme pressures” meaning they can no longer guarantee safe care.

It’s not just hospitals feeling the strain – the superflu is ripping through too, as cases are currently highest among schoolchildren.

Several schools have closed down over the last two weeks to deal with an influx of flu and other winter viruses.

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The public are being urged to get vaccinated. Health officials say that “time is running out” to be protected for Christmas Day because the jab takes up to two weeks to work.

All over-65s, children and adults with health conditions are eligible for a free NHS vaccine, while anyone else can buy one for about £20 from high street pharmacies.

However, , cold remedies and handwash have begun to run low as the mutant strain spreads.

Some stores, such as Tesco in Blackpool, had even locked Lemsip in security boxes.