London sees surge in 999 ambulance calls as flu season takes hold

The number of 999 calls in London has increased over the past week, with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) reporting its busiest three consecutive days of 2025.

The service said the 20% increase included more calls from people experiencing breathing difficulties due to viral infections and respiratory illnesses such as the flu.

NHS figures show that fewer than half of eligible people in London have received the free flu jab this season.

Experts are predicting the worst flu season in a decade, fueled by a new type of flu virus.

LAS strategic commander Laurence Cowderoy said the service had been preparing for winter for several months, but nevertheless urged Londoners to “only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency”.

He said the high call rate was “more typically seen on New Year’s Eve”.

Operations intended to meet demand during the winter period include:

• 460 ambulances on the roads during peak periods
• Use of AI
• No more telephone meetings
• A redirection system where patients are moved to relieve pressure

Karen Bonner, London’s regional chief nurse, said NHS staff had already seen the impact of the new flu strain with people presenting to accident and emergency departments with symptoms.

“We know it’s a pretty serious flu this year – we know that from having seen it in Australia and elsewhere – so we really want to protect people,” she said.

London Ambulance Service Calls

Thursday November 27 – 7,356

Friday November 28 – 7,608

Saturday November 29 – 7,409

Sunday November 30 – 6,776

(The London Ambulance Service normally takes around 5,500 calls on a “typically busy day”)

NHS England reported that 1.7 million people have had a free flu vaccine so far this season in London, around 46% of those eligible.

Who is eligible for the flu vaccine?

• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 as of August 31, 2025
• children with certain long-term health conditions (aged 6 months to under 18 years)
• children of primary and secondary school age (reception to year 11)
• all children in clinical risk groups aged 6 months to less than 18 years
• anyone aged 65 and over
• people aged 18 to under 65 with certain long-term health conditions
• residents of retirement homes
• carers receiving carer’s allowance or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• those who live with immunocompromised people
• frontline health and social service workers