UK hospitals are experiencing high levels of flu this winter.
NHS England said it was “on high alert” after hospitals recorded the highest ever number of flu cases at this time of year in the week ending December 14.
You can use our tool below to find out how many flu patients are in hospitals near you.
Data on hospital influenza cases is collected differently in each country in the UK.
In England, this is the number of beds per week occupied by patients with laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza.
This data is provided by the NHS Trust. Trusts are organizations made up of hospitals, community services and providers of other forms of patient care. You can find out which trust owns your local hospital at National Health Service England website.
In Scotland, the figures refer to the number of patients admitted to hospital with a laboratory-confirmed case of influenza reported between 14 days before the date of admission and 48 hours after the date of admission.
In Wales, this is the weekly number of patients in hospital with a laboratory-confirmed case of influenza, recorded 28 days before the date of admission if testing was carried out outside hospital, or within two days of admission.
Data for Scotland and Wales is provided at NHS Health Board level. Health boards are responsible for all frontline health services. You can find out which Department of Health your local services belong to by visiting National Health Service Scotland or National Health Service Wales websites.
In Northern Ireland, the figures show the number of new flu cases admitted to hospital that were acquired outside of hospital.
This data is provided at Health and Social Care Foundation level. Trusts are responsible for the provision of local and regional health services. You can find out which trust owns your local hospital at Direct website.
