Officials from the NHS in London have repeated their appeals for people to get vaccinated against this season’s flu, as hospitals in the capital face their toughest winter pressures, and the number of flu cases being treated at Croydon’s largest hospital almost doubled in a week.

Across England, the number of A&E beds being taken by patients being treated for flu has risen from 2.5% in the week ending December 7 to 3.0% for the latest week (week ending December 14).

But in Croydon’s main A&E department at Mayday Hospital, the rate is four times the national average, up from 7.3% (week ending December 7) to 12.4% for the latest week. That corresponds to 57 of the hospital’s 460 general, acute and critical care beds.

In London, the latest figures show more than double the number of flu hospitalisations last week compared with the same week in 2024.

It’s not too late: chief nurse Karen Bonner

The NHS in London says that patients should continue to use health services in the usual way, attending their appointments unless told otherwise. They should dial 999 in an emergency or use NHS 111 for other care needs.

Almost 2million people have been vaccinated for flu this season, but the NHS says “there are still vulnerable people who haven’t come forward” for their jab, the best protection against serious illness.

London’s Chief Nurse, Karen Bonner, said: “I urge all eligible Londoners to get vaccinated by booking an appointment or visiting a walk-in site as soon as possible.

“Vaccination is the best protection against getting potentially very ill for yourself and those around you, and it helps reduce mounting pressure on the capital’s NHS services.”

How to access flu vaccinations and medical care

• Pharmacies: Quick support for common conditions including sore throat, sinusitis, earache and prescription-only medicines
• Online GP services: 98.7% of GP practices offer online consultation requests (8million used in October)
• Urgent Treatment Centres: Expanded network across England for non-emergency care
• NHS 111: Available online and by phone to direct patients to appropriate care
• A&E and 999 calls: For life-threatening conditions and serious injuries

• You can check whether you are eligible for a flu jab by clicking here

• And you can find pharmacies for walk-in appointments by using the NHS walk-in finder by clicking here

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