IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER...

14,000 extra deaths due to A&E delays, Surge in viruses as the country freezes

- Lucy Johnston and David Williamson

THE NHS is braced for a "perfect storm" as a deadly combination of freezing temperatures and surging winter viruses threatens to push the health service to breaking point.

It comes as The Royal College of Emergency Medicine predicts at least 14,000 unnecessary deaths due to A&E delays this winter.

The combination of emergency backlogs and the weather will pile additional pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who has been criticised for cutting winter fuel payments to the elderly.

He has also been accused of "de-prioritising urgent and emergency care" by focusing on reducing waits for planned operations.

Experts say the 10-day cold snap, which started on Thursday, threatens to push hospitals beyond breaking point, with increased cases of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory illnesses among vulnerable people. Doctors are warning of increased hospital admissions from heart attacks, strokes and respiratory illnesses.

This is compounded by the worst flu season in years as well as rising Covid-19 cases.

Dr William Bird, who has advised the Government on weather-related health, said: "This winter has seen ideal conditions for viruses to flourish, from damp, cold weather trapping pollutants and viruses close to the ground to freezing temperatures that weaken immune systems. The current freeze-thaw cycle will also increase falls and fractures."

New NHS data covering the Christmas and New Year period showed flu cases have skyrocketed, with more than 5,000 patients hospitalised at the end of last week.