NURSING leaders have warned that staff are battling to hold the NHS together amid a surge in flu hospitalisations. 

The number of people in hospital in England with flu has jumped 41 per cent in a week, and continues to be more than four times the number at this point last year, NHS figures showed today.

Health leaders have warned that the situation is “likely to get worse before it gets better” as schools prepare to close for Christmas and festive gatherings take place.