London has recorded a significant and continued decline in the number of people hospitalised with flu, providing a piece of positive news for the NHS this winter. The latest data reveals that an average of 424 hospital beds per day were occupied by flu patients in the capital during the week ending 28 December.
Steady Decline in Capital's Flu Figures
This new figure represents a substantial drop from the 521 beds a day recorded the previous week and is also lower than the 444 daily average seen in the week ending 14 December. Crucially, the current level is below that of the same period last year, when an average of 462 beds per day in London were taken up by flu patients in 2024.
The encouraging downward trend is mirrored across England, where daily flu hospitalisations have fallen from a national average of 3,061 to 2,676. Health leaders have partly attributed this national improvement to a successful vaccination drive, with 18.5 million people in England having received their flu jab this season—half a million more than at the same point last year.
Which London NHS Trusts Are Most Affected?
While cases are falling across the board, some NHS trusts in London continue to see higher admission rates than others. The data shows that Barts Health NHS Trust currently has the most hospitalisations, with an average of 89 beds per day occupied by flu patients, though this is down from 100 the week before.
The trust with the second-highest number is Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, with 54 daily beds on average, followed by The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with 39. All trusts cited have seen week-on-week reductions.
NHS Leaders Urge Public to Stay Vigilant
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, described the falling numbers as "welcome news," praising the "extraordinary efforts of NHS staff" in vaccinating record numbers. However, she warned against complacency as colder weather arrives.
"The NHS is far from complacent as temperatures drop with this likely to increase pressures in the New Year, and demand on services remaining high," Professor Pandit stated. She urged the public to use 999 and A&E only for life-threatening emergencies and to rely on NHS 111 for other conditions, while also encouraging all eligible people who have not yet been vaccinated to come forward.
Echoing this cautious optimism, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the "Herculean efforts of NHS staff" but highlighted the ongoing challenges. "We still face intense pressures, and with this bitingly cold snap adding additional challenges it is more vital than ever those eligible get their flu jab," he said, calling on the public to help protect NHS services for those who need them most this winter.
