BREAKING: Sheffield medical services stretched amid “high levels” of flu
A new strand of super flu has left South Yorkshire hospitals "under extreme pressure" as doctors urge vulnerable people to get their flu jabs.
Current NHS England data for Sheffield shows 55 hospital beds are in use for flu victims, seven of which are in Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust. There are presently no flu patients in critical care beds.
Dr David Crichton, Chief Medical Officer at NHS South Yorkshire, said: "We are seeing high levels of flu across the across South Yorkshire and the rest of the country.
"The number of patients we are seeing across all NHS services, including in GP practices, is very high for this time of year and our health services are under extreme pressure.
Hospitals are encouraging people to seek non-emergency care unless absolutely necessary.
While young people are more susceptible to catching the virus, medical professionals have said elderly and immuno-suppressed individuals are at higher risk of complications.
Dr Crichton said: "NHS staff in our communities and hospitals are working extremely hard to help people get the advice and treatment they need as quicky as possible.
If you are worried about your symptoms or not getting better over time, then call NHS 111 or use 111 online to get the advice and guidance. If you can, please stay at home and avoid contact with other people where possible."
He said: “It is extremely important that anyone who is eligible to get their flu vaccination to help prevent them getting seriously ill. Vaccination is the best protection against getting potentially very ill and it also helps protect those around you.”
Michael Harper, Chief Operating Officer, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "Like most other hospitals across the NHS, we are experiencing high levels of emergency care demand which is further exacerbated by a higher-than-normal number of flu cases this year.
"As of Wednesday 10 December, we had 89 patients admitted with confirmed flu and many more with other respiratory illnesses."
UK Health Security Agency data from 7 December revealed that young people and children are most susceptible to the virus. NHS England continues to urge vulnerable people to come forward for this year's flu vaccine.
Mr Harper said: "We have plans in place to manage increases in demand including increasing the number of beds where possible.
"Teams are working exceptionally hard across our hospitals and community services, and people can help us by collecting patients in a timely manner when ready for discharge and only using A&E in genuine emergencies."
Mr Harper encouraged those worried about their symptoms to seek help from Sheffield Urgent Care - Sheffield Teaching Hospital, advising to avoid visiting hospitals in order to limit the spread of flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Vulnerable individuals can find out how to get vaccinated here: Flu vaccine - NHS.
NHS South Yorkshire have advised:
- If you have flu, there are some things you can do to look after yourself such as drinking plenty of water, keeping warm, resting, and taking paracetamol to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains.
- Do what you can to reduce the spread:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap,
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do you normal activities
Sheffield dad raising money for “safety net” charity which supports his son with Down’s Syndrome
A dad-of-three is running the Manchester Marathon in 2026, raising money for Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity along the way.
Jamie Beet, 39, is a police officer who lives in Sheffield with his wife and three children: Jacob, Jemima and Benji.
Jacob, 12, has Down's Syndrome, which has meant that the family have relied on Sheffield Children's Hospital throughout his life.
Mr Beet described the hospital, which is only a short drive from their home, as a "safety net" for them.
He said: "If Jacob ever needs anything, we know he'll get the right care, and they'll look after us too."
To support a charity, marathon runners aim to raise a suggested £325 but Mr Beet set a personal goal of £500.
So far, he has raised nearly double his aim through donations from friends and colleagues who know what the charity means to him.
Jacob has had numerous operations and lengthy overnight stays at the hospital.
Mr Beet said: "We're big advocates of showing what Jacob can do.
"We're really proud of him and what he can achieve."
Sanj Gupta, Clinical Lead for ENT at the Children's Hospital, said that donations go towards necessary research, medical equipment and facilities for improved extensive treatment.
A recent addition to the Children's Hospital is its state-of-the-art helipad, which has already seen over 50 landings in its first year.
Mr Gupta said that a large amount of funding for the helipad came from the charity.
He said: "The hospital relies on people being generous.
"We really notice it. We think it's invaluable."
On his JustGiving page, Mr Beet said that donations make a "huge difference", often supporting parents on long hospital visits, with services that often go unseen
He wrote: "These include the playrooms and entertainment that keep children occupied and give exhausted parents a much-needed break."
Mr Gupta said: "We're very grateful to people like Jamie."
There is still time to support Jamie's marathon. Click here to donate.
Blades v Baggies: Can United bounce back to beat West Brom?
Sheffield United look to avenge a disappointing draw on Tuesday as they travel down to The Hawthorns tonight amidst an injury crisis.
The Blades' four game winning streak came to an end after a 1-1 draw with Norwich City, with a Djibril Soumaré own goal claiming the headlines.
In yesterday's preview conference, Blades boss Chris Wilder said the game was "Not a backward step on Tuesday night, but a sideward step off the back of a really good run."
Injuries have taken a hold of the S2 club with eight players currently injured. However, Wilder confirmed that Mark McGuinness, Sam McCallum, and Jairo Riedewald could feature in tonight's clash against West Brom.
He also confirmed that Chiedozie Ogbene and Sydie Peck remain injured, and gave no timeline for when they may return.
Wilder also noted that he has asked the board for midfield reinforcements in January.
Injuries to Peck and Tom Davies, as well as the absence of Riedewald due to illness meant that Wilder had to call upon Ollie Arblaster to start, as he came back from a cruciate injury which has seen him side-lined for a year.
There is a call for players that could be capable of pushing for a starting place in the side with Wilder saying that the Blades are still an attractive prospect for players despite their current position.
Ahead of the West Brom fixture Wilder commented on the competitive state of the Championship mid-table. He said: "you look at every club and they have got threats, and they will look at us and go 'Sheffield United have got threats'."
Eager to not let Tuesday's result impact the team's mentality moving forward, Wilder said: "I was delighted with the ambition of the team.
"They were really disappointed coming off the pitch on Tuesday but on reflection they shouldn't beat themselves up to much and we shouldn't as a football club because of the run we have been on."
Image Courtesy of Sheffield United FC
Security guard to the stars bringing Santa to the people of Barnsley
A winter wonderland is set to give the people of Barnsley a chance to get swept up in the festivities at a pay-what-you-can event.
Jordan Gray is looking to bridge the gap and get as many people to get into the festive spirit as he can.
He said: "Everybody deserves to be happy, and I want to be the person to do that for them".
As well as being a social media sensation, Mr Gray is a top-level security guard, protecting celebrities such as Luke Littler, Conor Benn and Pierce Brosnan with Lyons Den Security.
Gray's Winter Wonderland will have raffles and stalls, and the money raised will be donated to the Barnsley Hospital charity, with all other donations and and a Gofundme going towards gifts for the people of Barnsley.
The event will be taking place at The New Inn, Gawber, with activities such as gingerbread decorating and reindeer food making on offer to entertain those in attendance.
With the ever-increasing cost of living, it is becoming harder for the people of Barnsley to see Santa.
The event has been paid out of pocket by Mr Gray, with him spending more than £1000 on gifts to give to people who are coming to the event.
He was shocked by the number of donations he has received, calling it "absolutely crazy."
He said "It's been a fantastic turnaround from the community."
Special Educational Needs sessions will also be put on, as Mr Gray said: "I want it to be inclusive for everybody, and a nice environment for all the SEN adults and children and provide them with the Christmas magic that every family deserves."
Local businesses will also be in attendance as they sell their homemade wares, with visits from Danny Malin, who co-hosts the "Ay Up Listen 'ere" podcast with Mr Gray.
Since announcing the event, Mr Gray has had upwards of 150,000 comments and over 2.5 million views across his socials.
He said: "I'm overwhelmed by the support that people have given me to create something magical for the people of Barnsley."
Mr Gray got the inspiration for the event after attending Lapland UK with his wife and two daughters.
He planned his Winter Wonderland in just three days after realising "there's so many children and families out there that haven't seen Santa this year".
With the new youth facility in the town centre set to open in January, Barnsley is providing opportunities and spaces for young people to thrive, and Mr Gray is looking to add to that with his event.
He said: "It's nice to see Barnsley get on board someone like myself who's trying to do the greater good, this is just the beginning from my myself to provide Barnsley with what they need, which is good times and magical moments."
“It’s rewiring their brains”: Ground breaking phone ban coming to Sheffield school
A pioneering study banning smartphones in a bid to "rewire" childrens' brains is coming to Ecclesfield School next year, Sheffield Wire can exclusively reveal.
The trial will involve more than 100 children giving up their devices for a prolonged period of time.
After a preliminary study earlier this year, kids reported being happier and more connected with their families, and took up new hobbies to get them out of their bedrooms.
Headteacher Richard Walkden said: "The kids generally were happier, there were no squabbles."
Mr Walkden also said there was “more focus in class, more concentration, they all attended every day - their attendance went up.”
He added that one parent had told him it "changed the whole family dynamic," and that they "got their kid back."
While Mr Walkden said he was pleased about the success of Ecclesfield School's study, he was unsure whether children would benefit from not being able to access smartphones entirely.
"Is it going to make our lives easier if we did that? Yes it would. Is it doable? Possibly. But it comes down to parenting.
"They’ve become so ingrained in day to day life," he said. "That’s why that 21 days was a really good piece of work, but the fact that it got so much publicity tells you the state that we are in on phone dependence."
The upcoming longer upcoming study hopes to make a positive difference to students' lives, helping them to reconnect in the real world and escape 'doom-scrolling' and 'brain rot'.
But it isn't just students taking the leap.
Mr Walkden himself has also pledged to give up his smartphone, in an effort to inspire others.
He said: “Rather than talking about it, I'm going to take part this time.”
In the previous study, the only person to crumble was a staff member who needed to use a banking app.
According to OFCOM, three-quarters of social media users aged 8–17 have an account on at least one major platform, despite many platforms requiring users to be upwards of 16.
New guidance aims to implement effective age checks in a bid to prevent young people from viewing offensive content, but many think that the government needs to do more to protect them.
The study at Ecclesfield School comes in the midst of a social media ban for under-16s in Australia, with the eyes of the world watching to see whether it will effectively protect children online.
Lada Price, senior lecturer in journalism at the University of Sheffield, believes that parents and companies both need to do more to protect children.
“If the government starts banning, then there will be outcry because of censorship."
Mrs Price explained that there was a balance to be struck between respecting what children want and how we can protect them.
“Usually it tends to work when students feel they’re being heard,” she said. "They get exploited. It’s absolutely horrendous for a parent."
What makes regulating social media such a difficult task is that there are many different issues that need to be dealt with to adequately protect children.
Liz Hunter, PSHE Curriculum Leader at Ecclesfield School, worries that children do not understand how the content they see affects them.
"It's like they're sitting with their mouths open being fed just the same stuff," she said. "There’s an opportunity for people who want to talk about the worst of everything.
“I honestly don’t know what we do.”
Despite the potential harms, Mr Walkden said a total ban on smartphones or social media was increasingly difficult in a world that is so constantly online.
Mr Walkden said: "In the modern day world, you can’t survive without a smartphone.
"If you haven't got a smartphone, you’re not in the game."
South Yorkshire clubs learn FA Cup fate as Premier League away day looms
The FA Cup Third Round draw took place on Monday, with Premier League and Championship clubs in the hat for the first time this season.
Rotherham United are the only club in South Yorkshire to already be knocked out after they lost 2-1 to Ian Holloway’s Swindon Town at the start of November.
League One sides Barnsley and Doncaster will be aiming to build on their momentum and reach the fourth round, something they have only achieved four times between them since 2020.
Here’s what to expect from each South Yorkshire club ahead of the January fixtures.
Liverpool vs Barnsley
After bypassing York City and Peterborough United in the early rounds, Barnsley face a tough away clash against Premier League holders, Liverpool.
Conor Hourihane called the tie "one that everyone can look forward to", but despite Liverpool’s recent dip in form, the Reds remain heavy favourites at Anfield.
Barnsley will have to be disciplined and clinical to cause an upset on one of football’s biggest stages.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Brentford
Wednesday will be looking for some respite away from the Championship, having won just one game amid a torrid start marred by difficulties off the pitch.
They might be unlikely to find it in their third round opponents, however, as they also face a stern test at home against Brentford.
The West London club have become an established Premier League outfit since promotion in 2020/21, despite losing major players and manager Thomas Frank along the way.
The two sides met in the EFL Cup last season, with the Bees edging a win on penalties, despite Premier League stars like Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa featuring.
Head coach Henrik Pedersen will hope his players can enter the tie without the weight of expectation in order to break through an organised Brentford team.
Sheffield United vs Mansfield
Chris Wilder was keen to reassure fans that the Blades won’t underestimate their League One opponents, Mansfield Town, in the FA Cup third round.
"Nothing changes at all. You get hurt if you shortcut anything and if you take anything for granted- it’s not what I want the players to be about."
He didn’t hesitate to praise Mansfield, recalling a previous cup tie at Middlesbrough where they were their "toughest opponents" despite a win away at Old Trafford in the same run.
The Stags’ route to the third round saw them beat Harrogate Town and Accrington Stanley but their positive cup form has been surrounded by four straight league defeats.
Sheffield United will not pull any punches in their efforts to progress, and will be mindful that poor league form doesn’t always translate into the cup.
Doncaster Rovers vs Southampton
After winning their first three games, newly promoted Doncaster sit just outside the League One drop zone, picking up just two wins in the division since the start of September.
They’ll be hosting Southampton, who after starting poorly in the championship this season, have now earned 18 out of a possible 21 points under new coach and Manager of the Month, Tonda Eckert.
Last season, the two teams were separated by three divisions, and with only one division separating them this season, Doncaster have a chance to play with the shackles off and cause an upset at home.
The draw hands South Yorkshire clubs some tasty fixtures against strong opposition, with Barnsley’s trip to Anfield standing out as the pick of the bunch. The third round promises to be an exciting time for South Yorkshire football, and time will tell who will progress in the competition.
Hospital worker takes on London Marathon to support charity’s work with terminally ill children
A frontline hospital worker is running in the London marathon at Sheffield’s Children Hospital to raise funds for a charity.
Elle Atkin, 30, is a Family Care Sister at Sheffield's Children Hospital fundraising with a £3,000 target in the London marathon on behalf of REACT.
The charity, which is reliant on donations, provides support to children with life shortening illnesses, and offers comfort, dignity, and greater autonomy for youngsters who are terminally ill.
In her day-to-day working life, Ms Atkin actively helps families with terminally ill children affected by economic difficulties.
Ms Atkin said: “ I react to the support that they actually need, so every family is different.
“Some families just need to have someone to talk to every day. Some families are really struggling financially.”
The hospital worker contacted the charity after seeing the opportunity on their newsletter, and as Msً White often runs 10km, she took it as a challenge.
After hearing a voicemail from REACT’s operation manager, Ben White, 30, she “felt privileged” to hear they were impressed with her application.
Mr White shared how important it is to support families that have fallen through the cracks of the system.
The charity partially funds the runners’ spot in the London marathon.
Mr White said: “The fundraising target if they meet that level is an equivalent of equipment it could provide a child.”
The charity is not restricted in the support they can give to a specific child as long as they are terminally ill.
Ms Atkin will head to the start line for the race in Spring 2026.
As a front line worker she is aware of how impactful the charity is and is proud to be a part of the process.
She has been preparing for her run each day with the support of her partner, combining high intensity marathon training with healthy eating.
Ms Atkin has currently raised £895 of her £3000 goal. You can support Elle Atkin as she fundraises for the charity here.
Today on Sheffield Wire
Good morning and welcome to today's Sheffield Wire news coverage of Friday 12 December 2025.
Our top stories today include:
- Collapsing flood defences on the River Sheaf has forced businesses off the land, pictured above. As residents desperately ask for help to protect the land, Reporter, Eve Hutchinson, speaks to campaigners.
- Eight firefighters who lost their lives during the Sheffield Blitz will be commemorated with a plaque in Pound's Park, 85 years on. Reporter, Olivia Hiskett, will be at the unveiling ceremony.
- Soaring flu rates in England threaten hospitals, as a doctors strike threatens to make things worse. Reporters, Rosie Peters-McDonald and Lulu Johnston-Knight, investigate how Sheffield's hospitals are coping.
New £86m ‘superlab’ sparks controversy amidst UCU strikes
Plans for a £86m super laboratory for the University of Sheffield have been conditionally approved by Sheffield City Council.
The confirmation of the building plans have come during intense strike action at the university - the strikers' main concerns revolve around cost-cutting and potential redundancies.
Named the The Central Teaching Laboratories, the building is set to be built near the Ring Road on Upper Hanover Street.
The building will provide two 300 student teaching laboratories, a Medical Teaching Unit and collaborative teaching spaces for the Faculty of Science.
Members from the the University and College Union (UCU) began strike action on 17 November and are expected to continue for another week.
One of the strikers speaking on the picket line today, Professor Willy Kitchen from the University's Department of Education, said: "I would want to understand why that £86m is going to have a greater benefit to the student experience than cutting a significant more number of staff."
The council has now published a planning permission notice for the building. Although there are several conditions that need to be met before construction starts, the plan has been given the go-ahead from the authority.
Due to the large surface area of the building, existing trees in the initial planning proposal were due to be removed.
Last year, the co-chair of Sheffield Tree Action Group had urged members of the University executive board to recognise the "ecological, public health, cultural, historical, spiritual and aesthetic value of mature trees to the community."
The conditions of the planning permission now state the existing trees should be protected.
In response to the strike action, The University of Sheffield had previously made an offer to commit to there being no compulsory redundancies before 31 October 2026, and an additional pause on all new restructures until April 2026. This offer was declined by UCU, and has since been withdrawn.
When asked about the 'superlab', a UCU spokesperson said: "UCU has consistently opposed the 'superlab' as expensive, environmentally damaging (since its plans involved the removal of old-growth trees on the main road), and less useful than a renovation of the University's existing labs spaces."
The University were contacted for comment.
Sheffield becomes the first city in the UK with no under 25s sleeping on the streets
A local youth homeless charity has worked hard to ensure that Sheffield and Rotherham are the first cities to eradicate rough-sleeping amongst under 25s this Christmas.
South Yorkshire housing charity, Roundabout, offers "wraparound support" for 16 to 25-year-olds who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The charity "supports 400 people every single day," including young people in care and supported accommodation.
Fundraising manager at Roundabout, Emily Jones, exclusively revealed: "We are the only city in the UK to be able to say that no under 25 is sleeping rough because of our prevention and rapid rehousing team."
1-7 December marks Homelessness Awareness Week 2025 and aims to highlight the plight of homelessness, educate the public and challenge negative stereotypes as the festive period commences.
While Christmas can be a difficult time for those without a home, Roundabout hopes to make it special for members of the charity and beyond.
The charity pulls together festivities for around 1,000 people and makes sure those with children get a visit from Santa.
Every young person will receive a Christmas card, present, a gift card and those in residential services will also get to enjoy a roast dinner with crackers and all the trimmings, alongside a variety of special events.
Ms Jones said: "What we do see with young people is that they are really tough and they are so determined to turn their life around."
While this milestone has been reached in Sheffield, today the government vowed to make childcare more accessible for families on Universal Credit and to stop children growing up in B&Bs as part of their child poverty strategy.
Yet, at Roundabout they believe "these young people have been let down by so many adults and services in their lives, the point is to rebuild trust and show them that they have a future and that people believe in them."
Photograph courtesy of: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
Food delivery app has to relaunch after iPhone customers cannot access the service
A new Sheffield food delivery service which launched this week has run into problems after their app and website couldn't be accessed on iPhones.
Fast Lane Delivery was inspired by the Dubai delivery app, Talabat, promising to provide delivery within 20 to 30 minutes anywhere in the city.
However, their service for iPhone users ground to a halt within hours of the launch, last month, preventing many customers from ordering their food.
Owner, Kamran Hussein, 44, said: "The app is easy to develop but it's when you're putting it together to make it work that's where the issues lie."
Mr Hussein explained they were working on the technology to rectify the problem and were hoping for it to be fixed this week.
Director, Assaf Hussein, was keen to explain that overall the app has been a succeess.
He said: “As regards to the approach from the customer, it's been a great response."
The owner explained Fast Lane Delivery is different from Uber Eats, one of their competitors. They don't charge stores any commission, instead they add 20% to their prices, but claims that is cheaper than the costs of their competitors.
Fast Lane Delivery have big ambitions. They intend to start with Sheffield as a hub and expand across South Yorkshire and then move into other cities including Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, and Birmingham.
The business is running early deals, starting this week, which includes bread, milk and six eggs for 99p.
The company operates within a three mile radius, concentrating on local convenience stores, and using special offers to cater to different demographics.
For example, they claim, by focusing on London Road, it targets the customers around the area and provides them competitive prices that would support local businesses.
Mr Hussein said: “We're a local convenience delivery app that provides a delivery service with offers and convenience and obviously. We're trying to be as cost effective for customers, rent retailers and drivers as possible."
Rotherham care service runs gift-giving scheme for the elderly this Christmas
A local care service is working to help people with Dementia, and other illnesses, to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.
Based in Rotherham, Home Instead advocates for an individualistic approach, ensuring that no care package is the same and putting the patients first.
Cathy Sommerville, 57, an administrator for the organisation, said: "They're used to their own environment, they know where things are, they feel more comfortable and, by having that, it helps them to thrive."
Field care supervisor, Debi Venables, 60, echoed this sentiment, describing their care packages as "tailor-made to that client."
Ms Venables explained: "There's no quick visits and clients see the same care professionals, so they get to build up that relationship."
Today, they hosted a fundraiser in partnership with The Carer's Choir, a member group of Lost Chord UK that works to support those with neurological diseases and their carers through music.
Sally Glennon, who both works at Lost Chord UK and sings with the choir, said: "The people who join the choirs, it's woken up many things in them.
"We see miracles happen all the time."
The choir sang Christmas hits in the Cherry Lane Garden Centre to raise funds and awareness for the 'Be a Santa to a Senior' scheme.
Ms Sommerville said: "Some people are alone at Christmas and they don't receive any gifts.
"When someone gives you a present it makes you smile and feel like people do care about you."
Initiatives like these are essential to the care sector, going beyond basic medical assistance and going the extra mile to enrich people's quality of life.
To donate to the cause, or find more information, click here.