Flu is tearing through London’s hospitals , Wes Streeting is warning as he urged doctors to call off their five-day strike to protect the NHS in the run-up to Christmas.

The Health Secretary issued his plea as latest figures showed flu hospitalisation cases in the capital had jumped 47% in just a week.

Mr Streeting told The Standard: " There is a tidal wave of flu tearing through our London hospitals with hundreds of beds in the capital filled with flu patients – the highest recorded at this time of year.

“I have seen the damage flu is doing in my local hospitals and it isn’t acceptable for patients.”

The MP for Ilford North added: “With hospital beds, ambulances and A&Es in London filling up with patients, the whole NHS team is working around the clock to keep our familie

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