According to London Ambulance Services, the grim new record was ‘driven by the extreme heat’ as crews answered 642 category one calls in a single day yesterday (Wednesday, June 24)
The highest number of life-threatening emergencies in London Ambulance Services’ history was recorded yesterday (Wednesday, June 24). According to the ambulance service the worrying statistic was “driven by the extreme heat”.
Amid the rare red warning for extreme weather the UK is currently experiencing, ambulance crews responded to a record 642 category one calls in a single day. Category one incidents include the most serious, life-threatening injuries and illnesses such as cardiac arrests and patients who are not breathing.
Chief executive Jason Killens said: “We have seen the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in our history, driven by the extreme heat across London. Our crews are working very hard in challenging conditions to care for patients, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our people for their incredible hard work.
“Please help them to help you by taking care of yourself and others – stay out of the sun and keep hydrated.”
It marked the fifth busiest day in the service’s history, with 7,900 calls recorded in total and ambulance crews attending to nearly 3,600 patients.
The surge in calls is attributed to the scorching weather, with crews dealing with increased numbers of people collapsing, experiencing breathing difficulties or suffering cardiac issues, the service said.
London Ambulance Service has deployed more than 400 additional ambulance crews onto the streets this week.
The service has cautioned that patients can deteriorate rapidly in extreme heat. Even when temperatures start to drop, breathing and cardiac-related emergencies can spike in the days after a heatwave.
Alongside extra ambulance crews, London Ambulance Service has stepped up monitoring of patients awaiting assistance. This enables clinicians in the 999 control room to spot if a patient’s condition is worsening and ensure the most critically ill receive priority treatment, the service said.
Meanwhile, South Western Ambulance Service posted on X stating it was “currently experiencing exceptionally high demand for our 999 service across the SouthWest”.
The ambulance service urged people to only dial 999 for genuine emergencies, and if they require urgent medical advice or treatment that isn’t life-threatening, to use NHS 111 online, visit a local pharmacy or access another suitable healthcare service, such as an urgent treatment centre.