The recent red alert heatwave has placed unprecedented pressure on ambulance services across South West England, with paramedics describing the surge as “completely beyond anything we have ever experienced.”
On Friday, June 26—the hottest June day ever recorded in the UK—South Western Ambulance Service faced its highest demand to date. That day alone saw over 4,350 incidents managed, setting a new record for calls handled by the service. This surge was directly linked to the extreme weather conditions accompanying the heatwave.
Speaking to North Somerset Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee, representatives from the service emphasised the severity of the situation: “The volume of calls on June 26 strained our resources to levels never seen before. The red heat alert played a significant role in pushing demand beyond our previous limits.”
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Preparing for recurring heatwaves anticipated in the coming months, the ambulance service is implementing a new “summer planning” strategy akin to their winter contingency measures. With an expected influx of around 23 million people into the South West region in the next few weeks, bolstering service resilience is critical.
Temperatures reached historic highs during the heatwave, with Merryfield recording 36.7°C on June 25—the highest June temperature ever in the UK—followed by an even hotter 37.3°C in Suffolk the next day. Although a new heatwave is forecasted, experts predict temperatures will be somewhat lower.
South Western Ambulance Service noted that this year’s heatwaves differ from previous summers, characterized by greater extremity and frequency of highs and lows rather than a prolonged, steady heat. This variability adds complexity to planning and resource allocation.
Pete Brown, Director of Operations, urged the public to seek appropriate medical assistance to help maintain ambulance availability for critical emergencies: “Our priority is to respond swiftly to life-threatening situations. We advise those experiencing minor issues like sunburn, mild dehydration, or overheating to consider NHS 111 online or local pharmacies instead of calling 999.”
He emphasized that 999 emergency calls should be reserved for serious conditions such as cardiac arrest, chest pain, breathing difficulties, stroke symptoms, loss of consciousness, choking, severe allergic reactions, or significant bleeding.
Acknowledging some delays, the service apologised and stressed their commitment to providing safe care amid unprecedented demand. They also requested that callers avoid repeated calls enquiring about ambulance arrival times, as this hampers the ability to respond to other emergencies.