Impact of Flu on Local Hospitals: What You Need to Know

This winter, hospitals throughout the United Kingdom are grappling with a significant surge in influenza cases.

Utilize our interactive tool below to discover the current number of flu patients in medical facilities near you.

Data regarding flu patients is gathered differently across the various nations of the UK.

Data Collection Methods by Region

In England, the data reflects the weekly count of hospital beds occupied by patients confirmed to have the flu through laboratory testing.

This information is shared at the level of NHS Trusts, which encompass hospitals, community services, and various types of patient care providers.

You can identify your local hospital’s corresponding NHS Trust by visiting the NHS England website.

Scotland and Wales Reporting

For Scotland, the statistics pertain to the number of individuals admitted to hospitals with a lab-confirmed flu diagnosis, tracked from two weeks prior to admission up to 48 hours post-admission.

In Wales, the weekly count reflects patients diagnosed with flu, determined either from tests conducted within 28 days prior to hospital admission or within two days after being admitted.

Data for both Scotland and Wales is reported at the NHS Health Board level, which oversees all primary healthcare services.

To find out which Health Board your local services fall under, you can check the NHS Scotland or NHS Wales websites.

Northern Ireland’s Approach

In Northern Ireland, the statistics denote the number of new flu cases admitted to hospitals that were contracted outside of those facilities.

This information is available at the Health and Social Care Trust level, which is responsible for delivering local and regional health services.

To determine which trust your local hospital is affiliated with, visit the NI direct website.