UK A&E departments experienced unprecedented demand over the past 12 months, with 2.35 million attendances in December. Credit: Art_Photo / Shutterstock.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has reported that the last 12 months were its busiest year on record for Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments and ambulance services.

The report comes as flu cases continue to put pressure on the UK’s healthcare system, with an average of 5,408 daily hospitalisations due to flu last week.

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Of these cases, 256 were in critical care, marking an increase from the previous year.

Facing exceptional demand heightened by cold weather and respiratory viruses, several NHS Trusts have declared critical incidents.

Cases of Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus have also increased, with more than 1,100 daily hospitalisations for Covid-19 and a nearly 50% increase in norovirus patients compared with the same period of last year.

NHS National Medical Director Stephen Powis said: “It is clear that hospitals are under exceptional pressure at the start of this new year, with mammoth demand stemming from this ongoing cold weather snap and respiratory viruses like flu – all on the back of 2024 being the busiest year on record for A&E and ambulance teams.”

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On 6 January, the NHS and UK Government jointly introduced the Elective Care Reform Plan, which aims to treat 92% of patients within 18 weeks.

The plan includes increasing capacity, reforming patient care delivery, enhancing the NHS App and expanding the use of the independent sector to ensure continued progress.

UK Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Although this winter’s campaign vaccinated more people than last winter, this strain of flu has hit hard, putting more than three times as many patients into hospital compared to this time last year.

“Annual winter pressures should not mean an annual winter crisis, which is why this government is making significant investment in the NHS, undertaking fundamental reform, and acting now to improve social care.”