Streeting has also recognized the annual winter crisis as a recurring issue, stressing the necessity for long-term reforms to enhance the health service.

An independent review by Lord Darzi in September underscored the urgent need for investment in the NHS, leading to the promise of a comprehensive 10-Year Health Plan.

Long wait times for emergency care are becoming increasingly common, with 49,592 patients waiting over 12 hours for hospital admission in October 2024, contributing to a rise in excess deaths linked to these delays.

In response to the escalating crisis, over 27 million flu vaccinations have been administered this season, with health officials urging the public to get vaccinated to help ease the burden on the healthcare system.

The strain on the NHS is further exacerbated by staffing issues, with 51,667 NHS staff absent due to illness and 11,969 hospital beds occupied by patients ready for discharge but unable to leave.

In light of the ongoing challenges, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a new 'Plan For Change' aimed at reducing hospital backlogs and cutting elective care wait times.

Flu hospitalizations have surged by 352%, with an alarming average of 1,099 patients admitted daily last week, compared to just 243 at the same time last year.

Delays in patient handovers to A&E teams are concerning, with 36% of patients waiting over 30 minutes, contributing to a wider issue of ambulance handover delays that have doubled compared to last year.

As winter approaches, the NHS is grappling with a 'quad-demic' of health emergencies, marked by a dramatic rise in hospital admissions due to flu, Covid, norovirus, and RSV.

Ambulance services are under immense pressure, with a total of 90,514 patients arriving via ambulance last week, a significant increase from 83,873 the previous year.

As of December 1, 2024, 95% of public hospital beds were occupied, highlighting the severe strain on the NHS, which is the primary provider of hospital care in England.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has acknowledged the intense pressure facing the NHS, but emphasized that the government has allocated an additional £26 billion to manage the surge in winter admissions.