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Birmingham Hospitals Brace for Flu Surge Ahead of Winter
13 Nov
Summary
- 115 flu patients in University Hospitals Birmingham
- 200 patients with respiratory illnesses like COVID, RSV
- 7 flu patients in intensive care, earlier than usual
As of November 13th, 2025, Birmingham hospitals are grappling with a surge in flu admissions, a concerning trend that has set in earlier than usual. According to Prof. Kiran Patel, the chief medical officer for University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB), the hospital currently has 115 in-patients with the flu, with an additional 85 patients suffering from other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, RSV, and parainfluenza, bringing the total to 200.
The situation is particularly worrying, as Patel notes that the hospital typically does not see such high flu patient numbers until around Christmas. Furthermore, 7 flu patients are currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, a figure that is unusually high for this time of year.
Experts warn that even a small rise in flu cases can add significant pressure on the already strained healthcare system. Patel emphasizes that the NHS is urging people to get vaccinated as winter approaches, in an effort to mitigate the impact of the flu outbreak.
