Flu influx causes hospital crisis

Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne is stretched to breaking point as up to 50 flu-struck children a day flood the emergency department.

Some children have been stranded for hours waiting admission while the influx has forced the cancellation of seven elective operations.

The intensive care unit has been the busiest it has been for more than 18 months, the Herald Sun reported.

Most patients admitted to the hospital were suffering the common RSV virus or other winter bugs, but influenza A cases have surged in the past two weeks.