NHS data show A&E patients waiting longer and big rise in GP flu consultations

New data released on 11 January by NHS England show that services are under considerable pressure,1 but in many cases a lack of comparable figures from previous years limits proper analysis.

Where direct comparisons are possible, the current position seems to be very close to that in the same week last year. For example, on 3 January this year the NHS in England had 98 214 beds open, and 94.3% were occupied. On the same date in 2017 there were 99 918 beds open, at an occupancy rate of 94.2%.

This year 3 January fell on a Wednesday, so a better comparison may be with 4 January 2017, also a Wednesday. On that day 100 511 beds were open, and the occupancy rate was 95.8%.

The new data published by NHS England include ambulance handover delays and show that on 3 January …