To ask the Minister of Health to detail any assessment he has made on the capacity of the health and social care system to manage the combined pressures of rising flu cases and other winter demands.

When we published the Department’s Overarching Winter Plan alongside the Trusts’ local plans in October, I stressed that the system and the public need to work together and all play our part. This will help to make sure that HSC services are ready and available for those who need them most. Improving effectiveness includes measures such as getting vaccinated, taking steps to stay well and co-operating with the hospital discharge processes.

The 2025/26 Winter Plan builds on last year’s foundations, focusing on expanding urgent care alternatives such as Phone First, minor injury units, and urgent care centres. These initiatives are embedded within each Trust’s Plans. In advance of Christmas, all Trusts focused on increased discharges to maximise bed capacity, putting hospital sites in an improved position compared to the same period in 2024. While Emergency Department (ED) attendances and ambulance arrivals were on some days higher than forecast, we have seen improvement in comparison with 2024.

While Flu rates peaked earlier than last year, I am encouraged that related admissions had begun to decrease before Christmas, in all age groups. Flu-related hospital admissions stabilised, remaining lower than 2024 and ICU admissions rose slightly but remained below 2024 levels. We must however remain vigilant and continue to take all the steps we can to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases.