What's happened
Hospitals in England are experiencing a surge in norovirus cases, with beds filled at the highest levels since 2020. Emergency departments face unprecedented delays, with over 554,000 patients waiting more than 12 hours in A&E in 2025. Despite increased funding, systemic pressures persist amid winter illnesses and staffing challenges.
What's behind the headline?
The current crisis exposes fundamental flaws in NHS capacity and social care integration. Despite increased funding, hospitals remain overwhelmed due to a combination of winter viruses, staffing shortages, and delayed discharges. The rise in norovirus cases and A&E waits underscores systemic underinvestment and poor planning. The government’s focus on short-term funding boosts has not addressed core issues like social care, which keeps patients in hospital longer than necessary. The record-high corridor waits and cancellations threaten patient safety and trust in the NHS. Long-term solutions must prioritize social care reform, workforce expansion, and infrastructure investment. Without these, the NHS will continue to struggle through winter peaks, risking further deterioration of care quality and patient outcomes.
What the papers say
The Independent reports a sharp rise in hospital bed occupancy and norovirus cases, with 823 beds filled daily last week, the highest for winter. NHS officials warn of ongoing pressures, despite some improvements in ambulance and waiting times. The Scotsman highlights that despite increased health spending in Scotland, outcomes remain poor, with long waiting times and delayed discharges exemplified by a patient in hospital for over 400 days due to unavailable carers. The Mirror and Sky News detail record-breaking A&E waits, with over 554,000 patients waiting more than 12 hours in 2025—the worst since records began—driven by winter illnesses and systemic underinvestment. Critics argue that funding alone cannot fix deep-rooted capacity issues, emphasizing the need for social care reform and infrastructure expansion.
How we got here
The NHS has faced persistent pressures over recent years, exacerbated by winter viruses, staffing shortages, and increased demand. Despite record funding and policy efforts, outcomes remain poor, with long waiting times and delayed discharges. The situation worsened during the pandemic, revealing deep structural issues in capacity and social care integration.
Go deeper
More on these topics