London hospitals are treating nearly a 50% increase in the number of patients with flu compared to this time last week as the NHS deals with unprecedented levels of the virus.

An average of 380 patients per day were in hospital beds with flu last week – the highest ever recorded for this time of year and 46.7% higher than the previous week.

Over 1.8 million people have received their flu jab since 1 September, with over 65,000 people taking up the offer in the past week.

The NHS in London is continuing to pull out all the stops to make sure people get their flu jab in time for Christmas, taking the vaccine out to communities across London, including this weekend’s premiership AFC Wimbledon match against Mansfield Town.

Dr Chris Streather, Medical Director for the NHS in London said:

“With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors’ strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worse-case for this time of year – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients.

“The numbers of patients in hospital with flu is extremely high for this time of year. Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.

The record-breaking winter pressures come as resident doctors prepare to strike from 17-22 December, raising serious concerns about patient care and safety during the NHS’s busiest period.

Dr Streather emphasised the service’s preparation: “We have prepared earlier for winter than ever before, and stress-tested services to ensure people have a range of ways to get the help they need and avoid needing to go to A&E.

“We are hopeful that we are close to a resolution with resident doctors. They’ve been given a strong offer on jobs which will address their key concerns by tackling bottlenecks in training and putting money back in their pockets.

“I’m really hopeful that resident doctors will be thinking very carefully about their decision so that we can avert these strikes and continue our progress on improving their working lives.”

Last week, there were over 16,600 ambulance handovers, an average of 2,371 per day. This is significantly higher than this time last year, when ambulance teams delivered nearly 15,400 handovers (over 2,210 per day).

Dr Streather urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated immediately: “With just a week left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I would urge anyone eligible for the vaccine to please book an appointment or visit a walk-in site as soon as possible. Vaccination is the best protection against getting potentially very ill and it also helps protect those around you.”

For non-life-threatening care, people should call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place, and use A&E and 999 for life threatening conditions and serious injuries.

The public are advised to attend any planned appointments scheduled during the strikes unless contacted to reschedule. Primary and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available, with 111 online recommended as the first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues.