NHS South London Hospitals Experience Surge in Flu Patients
NHS South London hospitals are facing a significant rise in flu cases, straining resources and prompting new health measures
Flu, NHS, South London, Lewisham, Greenwich, Hospital Admissions
London: The NHS in South London is seeing a big jump in flu patients lately. Hospitals are getting pretty crowded, and some are almost at full capacity.
Recent stats show that flu admissions are climbing fast, especially at Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, which has seen the biggest increase.
This surge is putting a lot of pressure on hospital resources. NHS leaders are saying that the winter challenges are far from over.
Across the country, flu-related hospital admissions hit 4,469 a day in early January, which is a 17% rise from the week before. Out of these, 211 patients needed critical care.
To give you an idea, here’s how many flu patients were in South London hospitals daily during the week ending January 5, 2025, compared to the previous week:
- Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust: 74 (up from 52)
- Croydon Health Services: 49 (up from 37)
- Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals: 44 (up from 34)
- Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust: 37 (up from 28)
- King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: 56 (up from 51)
King’s College Hospital reported that 94% of its general and acute beds were full by the end of December, which is higher than the national average of 89%.
Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust wasn’t far behind, with a bed occupancy rate of 96%. This really shows the tough situation local hospitals are in.
To tackle this growing issue, hospitals in Lewisham and Greenwich have brought back mandatory face mask rules. Visitors and staff who interact with patients now have to wear masks to help stop the spread of flu and other respiratory bugs.
NHS Lewisham & Greenwich Trust says this step is crucial to keep the community safe from these viruses.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the National Medical Director for NHS England, mentioned that hospitals are under a lot of pressure right now. The demand is huge, especially with the cold weather and flu cases rising, following a record-breaking year for A&E and ambulance services in 2024.
He praised NHS staff for their hard work and compassion, even when things are really tough. Some staff in A&E have said that their shifts feel like the busiest days during the pandemic.