The public is being urged to use NHS services in the ‘normal way’ this winter after hospitals experience their busiest week.
New data published by the NHS last week shows that more hospital beds were occupied during the first full week of the year (6-12 January 2025) than at any point so far this winter – with 97,636 adult general and acute hospital beds occupied, which equates to 96%.
In that same week, it was believed that almost one in seven occupied hospital beds (13,585) were taken up by patients who were fit to be discharged.
This meant it was officially the busiest week of the winter season so far for the NHS.
New NHS data reveals that last week saw the highest number of hospital beds occupied so far this winter, with 96% of adult general and acute beds in use.
Flu rates are still 3.5 times higher than last year, with 4,929 patients in hospital with flu on average each day of the week until 12 January, 1,112 patients across the UK were in hospital with COVID, and there was also 650 norovirus patients too, which is up 4% on the previous week and up a whopping 44% on last year.
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With the cold weather set to continue and create “enormous pressure” on frontline services, it’s predicted that many hospitals could declare critical incidents.
While the NHS says it did learn from last year, and put in place measures to manage extra demand this time around, including upgraded 24-hour co-ordination centres, support for frequent users of A&E services, strengthening same day emergency care, providing more care in the community, and delivering 29 million vaccines since the autumn, there’s still more that needs to be done.
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The public is being urged to use NHS services the ‘normal way’ after its busiest winter week / Credit: Pxhere
Professor Julian Redhead, who is the National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care at the NHS, said it’s “vital” that the public uses the health service in the “normal way” over the coming months.
“While it is encouraging news that flu cases are no longer increasing, hospitals are not out of the woods yet,” Professor Redhead said.
“Staff are working incredibly hard in sometimes challenging surroundings, but winter viruses are much higher than usual for this time of year, and this coupled with the cold snap and problems discharging patients means hospitals are jam-packed with patients – even as more beds have been opened to manage increased demand.
“With pressures on hospitals still formidable, it’s vital people continue to use NHS services in the normal way.
“[This means] using 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only using 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Salford confirms another ex-player as new CEO of phoenix rugby club
Danny Jones
As Salford turns the page of a new chapter in its rugby league history, ex-Red Devils player Ryan Brierley has been announced as the new chief executive officer (CEO).
His appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, 24 December, giving Salford rugby fans some fresh hope over the festive period.
Brierley, who played as a full back at Salford Red Devils from 2022 before leaving for Oldham RLFC halfway through last season earlier this year, follows fellow former player Mason Caton-Brown in returning to the team in a leadership capacity.
Sharing the news on his own social media, he wrote: “Incredibly honoured to announce I have been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Salford RLFC.”
His official statement goes on to read: “I would like to place on record my gratitude to the board members Malcolm Crompton, Mason Caton Brown and Paul Hancock for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the RFL and Salford City Council for their continued support.
“Lastly, but most importantly, to the Salford fans: what we had to go through last year was heartbreaking. I think I can speak to the wider Rugby League community and echo the sentiments of all fans that no club should ever go through that experience.
“Thank you for letting me lead this organisation into a new era. I’ve always said Salford people are my people and I will protect this club, with its best interests at heart. It is important [that] expectations are managed, and patience is required.”
He signed off by simply asking for the same support he was afforded as a fan, adding: “I have no doubt in my mind that you will go above and beyond, it’s just what Salford fans do…”
Led by the aforementioned Caton-Brown (a retired winger who played for the Red Devils between 2014-26), as well as another pair of directors in Hancock and Crompton, the Salford phoenix club has officially been given a Championship license for 2026.
Although relegation from the Super League and liquidation after 152 years were dark days for the club, this new consortium has already provided fans with some promising signs.
Besides saving the Salford sporting institution from total extinction, having previous members of the old outfit who know the bones, the stadium, the culture and the city so well is obviously a big bonus.
For now, it is a race against time to get a squad ready for the season opener against Brierley’s last team, Oldham – though contracts for a head coach and several players have reportedly been “pre-agreed”.
Featured Images — John Moorhouse (via Geograph)/supplied (via Rumpus PR)
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Netflix drops the first trailer for upcoming Peaky Blinders film
Danny Jones
It looks like Christmas has come early for TV drama fans and cinephiles, because Netflix has officially dropped the first trailer for the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie.
Popcorn at the ready – even the teaser alone has got us fired up.
ln just 70 seconds, they’ve managed to pull us right back in, and we cannot wait to see Cillian Murphy back in full-on Tommy Shelby mode.
Not exaggerating when we say we have LITERAL chills.
As you can see, they certainly haven’t scrimped on the budget with the first-ever feature-length Peaky Blinders film, neither in terms of production value nor the cast.
Then again, having already hosted the likes of Sam Neill, Tom Hardy, Adrien Brody, Anya Taylor-Joy and others in the series itself, as well as going on to become one of the most successful BBC shows of all time, they were never going to.
We’re sure you spotted plenty of them for yourselves, but the debut trailer for The Immortal Man gives us not only our first glimpses of now Oscar-winning Murphy, 49, back in the saddle (both figuratively and literally) but also fellow blockbuster Irish actor, Barry Keoghan.
Other big names set to appear in the movie – set for a limited release in theatres before launching exclusively on Netflix – include Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth. It still remains unclear, however, as to how any of these characters will knit into the new season.
It’s also worth noting that the trailer shares a little snippet of the historical context, this continuation of the Shelby story is playing into, as we see what looks to be Nazi figures meeting on screen.
Creator Steven Knight has already confirmed that the plot will fast-forward some years to meet back up with Tommy at the outset of WWII and his ancestral home of Birmingham during the Blitz.
Having already confirmed 6 March as the theatrical release date ahead of it going live on Netflix a fortnight later, the anticipation was seriously starting to ramp; this latest look has only added to the tinderbox of excitement.
What do you make of the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man trailer, and will you be watching it?
Emily Sergeant -
20th January 2025 
