London ’s NHS services are bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter, with three times as many people in the capital hospitalised by the virus compared to the same time last year.

Numbers across the country continue to spike at an alarming rate, but Londoners have been warned that the city’s significantly low vaccination rates are particularly concerning.

At an NHS England board meeting on Thursday, chief executive Sir Jim Mackey warned that by the end of next week there could be anywhere between 5,000 and 8,000 beds occupied by flu patients - which could exceed the highest level ever recorded, 5,400.

1,717 flu patients were in beds each day last week , more than 50% higher than last year.

However an average of 259 patients took up a London hospital bed each day last

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