The NHS is bracing for its worst-ever winter crisis in the next fortnight, as a worsening 'flu-nami' strains hospitals, GP surgeries, and ambulance services. With record numbers of people seriously ill from flu, the situation is dire, and it's only expected to worsen. NHS leaders urge people to get vaccinated against the virus for safer Christmas gatherings. Keir Starmer and the health secretary, Wes Streeting, have criticized the British Medical Association's decision to call resident doctors on strike, urging them to accept the government's latest offer to settle the long-running pay and jobs dispute. Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, describes the strike as 'cruel' and 'calculated' to cause mayhem. NHS England data reveals an average of 2,660 people daily treated in hospitals due to flu last week, a 55% increase from the previous week, filling three NHS trusts. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Covid, combined with a mutated and highly virulent flu strain, are threatening to engulf hospitals. The number of people needing care has led to critical incidents in several hospital trusts, unable to cope with demand. The UK Health Security Agency appeals for flu jabs for those who haven't had them, with Dr Conall Watson emphasizing the need for protection before Christmas. The agency reassures the public that the available flu vaccine reduces the risk of severe illness. However, the H3N2 strain typically affects older adults more severely, leading to more hospitalizations and deaths. The latest UKHSA figures show worryingly low flu vaccine uptake among at-risk groups. Doctors advise minimizing flu risks through masking, social distancing, and working from home. Shereen Hussein emphasizes safe connections during Christmas, while Watson reiterates the importance of face coverings for those with symptoms. Some pharmacies have run short of flu vaccine, but groups stress it's an isolated issue. NHS England data also shows a slight rise in waiting lists for planned hospital care in October, highlighting the system's strain. Dr Vicky Price attributes the crisis to a breakdown in NHS capacity and workforce shortages, not just the 'flu-nami'.
