Flu season in England is worst for a decade, says health secretary

Steve Barclay acknowledges NHS is under ‘severe pressure’ and expresses regret over instances of poor care

England is suffering its worst flu season for a decade, the health secretary has said, as he sought to acknowledge “severe pressures” in the NHS and expressed “regret” for some patients receiving poor care.

Steve Barclay said 5,100 people were in hospital with flu – a huge rise compared with the figure of 50 last year. The rise happened “quickly and early”, he said, with a sevenfold increase between November and December.