UK health service strained by super flu and strike threat

The UK’s health system is under mounting pressure from what officials describe as an unprecedented wave of “super flu,” compounded by plans for a five-day strike by resident doctors next week.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that the surge in flu cases has pushed the National Health Service (NHS) to its most fragile point since the pandemic, urging doctors to reconsider industrial action scheduled to begin just before Christmas.

Recent NHS data show flu cases have reached record levels for this time of year, with hospital admissions rising by 55 percent in a single week to an average of 2,660 patients per day. Health leaders cautioned that demand could increase further in the coming weeks.

NHS National Medical Director Meghana Pandit said the combination of soaring patient numbers and the looming strike has created a worst-case scenario for winter pressures. Health Secretary Wes Streeting also warned that hospital admissions could triple before the outbreak peaks, calling current conditions unacceptable.

The dispute centres on pay and training opportunities for resident doctors. While the government has agreed to prioritise UK-trained doctors for training posts and expand available places, it has ruled out further pay increases, citing rises of nearly 29 percent over the past three years.

Doctors’ representatives argue an additional 26 percent rise is needed to restore pay eroded by years of below-inflation settlements. Union members are expected to vote on the government’s latest offer in an online ballot closing on Monday.