The number of people hospitalised by flu has tripled in a week, according to new figures showing the full scale of a deepening NHS crisis.

The statistics show one in four patients admitted to hospital with influenza is suffering from the deadliest strain - dubbed “Aussie flu” - heaping pressure on intensive care units.

GPs last night said they were “flooded” with cases of flu, with patients “waiting in reception for hours” and queues continuing long into the night.

And the statistics show the NHS 111 service became overwhelmed in the approach to new year - with one in five callers - more than 22,000 patients - giving up in despair on the busiest day.

Meanwhile, the number of patients stuck in ambulances outside hospitals for at least an hour doubled in one week, while almost 17,000 faced delays of at least half an hour.

Health officials last night urged all those eligible for flu vaccinations to come forward.

The latest statistics suggest around 4.5 milllion people in England are suffering “influenza-like symptoms”.

But medics are particularly alarmed by the rise in cases being taken to hospital. Last week, 24 people died from flu – half the total of 48 killed so far this winter, with a 70 per cent rise in cases in intensive care.