Ambulance service escalates to highest alert level as heatwave drives demand

East Midlands Ambulance Service has declared a business continuity incident following sustained pressure on services across the region amid record-breaking temperatures and wider NHS demand. The incident was declared at 7.15pm on Tuesday 26 May, with the trust also escalating to REAP Level 4, the highest level on the Resource Escalation Action Plan, indicating a potential for failures within the service.

In a statement, the trust said demand for emergency care had increased in recent days, “including as a result of the hot weather”, alongside ongoing pressures across the NHS. A business continuity incident is declared when services risk falling below expected levels and additional arrangements are needed to maintain patient care.

EMAS said the declaration would allow it to work more closely with NHS partners to improve hospital handovers, direct patients to the most appropriate care and prioritise the most serious and life-threatening incidents.

The announcement came as the UK recorded its hottest May day on record for the second consecutive day. According to the Met Office, temperatures reached a provisional 35.1°C at Kew Gardens on Tuesday, surpassing Monday’s 34.8°C record. Heathrow also recorded 35.0°C, while temperatures remained above 20°C overnight in parts of the south east, creating what forecasters described as a “tropical night”.

The heatwave has led to a number of Amber and Yellow Heat Health Alerts being issued by the UK Health Security Agency, with warnings that even moderate heat can increase risks for vulnerable people and place additional strain on health services.

EMAS said it was maximising available resources and reviewing how ambulance crews are deployed across the region while continuing to monitor the situation closely. The trust also urged the public to use 999 only for life-threatening emergencies and consider alternatives such as NHS 111, pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and GPs for non-emergency care.

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