NHS England medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis stated that hospitals were experiencing “mammoth demand” and “exceptional pressure” due to the cold weather and the ongoing increase in flu cases.
Additionally, some employees reported that the stress they were under was “similar to some of the days we had during the height of the pandemic.”
It comes as flu cases have been steadily increasing; last week, the average number of flu patients in England’s hospitals exceeded 5,400 each day, which is roughly 1,000 more than the previous week.
This week, about 20 NHS trusts in England reported severe occurrences, causing lengthy A&E wait times.
Last week, the Welsh Ambulance Service also reported a critical event.
