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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Tobi Thomas and Denis Campbell

NHS bracing for worst ever winter crisis in next fortnight amid rising flu cases

NHS Wes Streeting NHS England Conall Watson Meghana Pandit UKHSA Vaccine
Image of medical staff in a hospital
Some hospitals are under such intense pressure that they have had to declare a critical incident – an admission they cannot cope with demand and need help. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

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

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

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