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With a red heat health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency, London Ambulance Service has put more than 400 extra ambulance crews on the road this week as temperatures hit 35 degrees.
London Ambulance Service (LAS) says that emergency calls linked to the hot weather are increasing, with crews responding to more people who are fainting, struggling to breathe and becoming unwell in the heat. Hot weather places direct strain on the body. It can cause people to collapse, struggle to breathe or experience heart problems. It can also worsen existing health conditions.
400 extra ambulance crews are on the road this week to keep people safe and more clinicians are in the control room to identify if a patient’s condition is deteriorating and ensure the most seriously ill are prioritised.
LAS chief Jason Killens urged the public to only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency so that his crews be there for the patients that need them most.
“This is an exceptional heatwave and the red alert means there is a risk to life, even for people who are normally fit and well. We are already very busy and we’re expecting significant pressure over the coming days, with more patients becoming seriously unwell.”
Jason Killens, CEO, London Ambulance Service.
The warning comes just weeks after one of the busiest days in the Service’s history. During the last heatwave in May, London Ambulance Service handled more than 8,000 calls to 999 in a single day. This was the highest level of demand since the height of the Covid pandemic.
The Service said it is seeing some patients become seriously unwell very quickly in the heat. Demand also often continues after temperatures begin to fall, as respiratory and heart-related incidents can increase in the days following a heatwave.
We will be focusing on the impact of heat and climate resilience on the Protecting the Protectors stage at The Emergency Services Show in September. David Shukman will be chairing a panel with three Chief Fire Officers to look at how fire and rescue services are responding to this growing risk. Register now to join them on 16 September.
