Winter

This monthly publication will feature a compilation of NHS England's weekly sitreps throughout the winter period. We will monitor key activity and demand figures across the NHS, analysing key trends to better understand the pressure facing trusts this winter. The data referred to here is the most recent release: for week commencing 2 March 2026. This is referred to as the first week in March. 

Viruses and absences

Viruses

• On average, there were 435 patients in hospital with flu each day last week (G&A and CC flu beds). The week before, this figure was 618. Last year, this figure was 1,309.  
  
  
• On average, there were 959 adult beds closed due to patients in hospital with D&V/norovirus-like symptoms last week. The week before, this figure was 1,148. Last year, this figure was 1,301.  
  
  
• On average, there were 10 paediatric beds closed due to patients in hospital with RSV last week. The week before, this figure was 18. Last year, this figure was 11.
  
  
• On average, there were 508 beds occupied by covid-19 patients per day last week. The week before, this figure was 560. Last year, this figure was 1,012.
  
  
• On average, there were 1,915 beds closed/occupied for covid-19, flu, D&V (adult and pediatric) and pediatric RSV last week. The week before, this figure was 2,346. Last year, this figure was 3,638. 

Staff sickness

• On average, there were 48,421 members of staff absent per day last week, due to sickness or self-isolation. The week before, this figure was 50,105. Last year, this figure was 47,179. 

Beds and occupancy

• On average, there were 95,423 adult G&A beds open last week. The week before, this figure was 95,945. Last year, this figure was 96,660.  
  
  
• On average, 95.2% of adult G&A beds were occupied last week. The week before, this figure was 95.4%. Last year, this figure was 95.2%. These rates remain above both the NICE 2018 guideline of 90% and the 2023/24 planning guidance target of 92% 
  
  
• On average, there were 6,091 paediatric G&A beds open last week. The week before, this figure was 6,099. Last year, this figure was 6,169.
  
  
• On average, 71.3% of paediatric G&A beds were occupied last week. The week before, this figure was 71.2%. Last year, this figure was 72.3%. 
  
  
• On average last week, there were 2,606 escalation beds open in total. The week before, this figure was 2,700. Last year, this figure was 2,878 beds in total. 
  
  
• On average last week, there were 4,065 adult CC beds open, and 77.7% were occupied. The week before, there were 4,067 adult CC beds open and 78.5% were occupied. Last year, there were 4,104 adult CC beds open, and 79.4% were occupied.  
  
  
• On average last week, there were 369 paediatric intensive care beds open, and 74.0% were occupied. The week before, there were 362 paediatric IC beds open, and 75.0% were occupied. Last year, there were 371 paediatric intensive care beds open, and 76.2% were occupied.   

Access and flow

Delayed discharge

• On average, 13,967 beds each day were filled with patients no longer meeting the criteria to reside in hospital last week. The week before, this figure was 13,778. Last year, this figure was 13,740. 
  
  
• Whilst not the record highest for this winter (14,005 in week 4), this is notably higher than the figure for the same week in the previous few years.  

Ambulance

• On average, ambulances made 13,493 handovers a day last week. The week before, this figure was 13,870. Last year, this figure was 13,719.   
  
  
• 22.3% of ambulance handover delays took longer than 30 minutes. The week before, this figure was 27.2%. Last year, this figure was 27.5%.  
  
  
• 5.6% of handover delays were longer than an hour. The week before, this figure was 8.2%. Last year, this figure was 8.9%.