24 people in UK killed by flu in a single week this winter

48 people have died from flu this winter in the UK after the virus killed 24 people in the last week of 2017, figures released by Public Health England show.

The statistics also reveal that more than 5,000 people were forced to wait more than an hour to be seen in A&E departments in England in the first week of 2018.

An NHS boss has called this a ‘watershed moment’, as the full extent of the strain on the health service is laid bare.

More than 16,600 people had to wait more than half an hour in A&E departments, NHS England said, as staff are faced with rising numbers of flu cases and respiratory illness.

Chief Executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson wrote to the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt this morning, warning that extra cash is needed to tackle the growing winter crisis.

‘We are writing to you now as we believe the current winter pressures facing the NHS have brought us to a watershed moment,’ said Mr Hopson.

‘Despite preparing for this winter better than ever before, national and local preparations have been insufficient to meet the levels of patient demand that trusts and primary and social care are now experiencing.

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‘As a result, care in too many places has fallen below the standard we would all want, with knock on effects throughout the wider health and care system.

‘We have now reached the point where the NHS is unable to meet the standards of care required by the NHS Constitution.’

His letter called for an increase in long-term investment and immediate help to tackle the current winter pressures.

A&E figures show that the target of seeing 95% of patients within four hours has not been met since July 2015.

The Royal College of Surgeons said it was “disappointing” that just 77.3% of patients at major A&E departments were treated within four hours, worse than in December 2016 when 79.3% of patients were seen.

A spokesman added: “It further demonstrates why it has been necessary to cancel patients’ non-urgent procedures until the end of January.

“Despite the best efforts and dedication of NHS staff to treat patients quickly, waiting times for non-urgent care have also deteriorated again in the past year.”