Heatwave 999 call-outs higher than in pandemic

High temperatures have meant London Ambulance Service (LAS) was busier in June than it was during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the June heatwave, LAS said it received more than 53,000 emergency calls leading it to deploy an extra 600 ambulance crews who treated patients for cardiac arrests and breathing difficulties as well as for those whose conditions became life-threatening in the heat.

Alex Ewings, strategic commander for LAS, said the record-breaking heat generated "some of our busiest weeks that we've seen".

He urged Londoners to stay safe in the heat on Thursday when an Amber Heat-Health Alert warning is in place, as temperatures are expected to reach 36C (97F) in London.

Across the months of June and July, LAS received more than 403,000 emergency calls - 25,000 more than the same period last year.

Ewings said: "We are still having some really busy days.

"We're receiving about 6,000 calls a day, which is still busy, but not as much as the June heatwaves - it's more than the 5,500 that we typically see this time of year."

He added: "Heat does bring difficulty with patients that are vulnerable who have long-term underlying conditions.

"What we really need Londoners to do is look after friends and relatives that have long term conditions who are vulnerable.

"If you are going to be out in the sun and drinking alcohol, we want people to do that in moderation. Also stay hydrated and look after yourself, look after your friends."

The service said during the five heatwaves seen in 2026, it was constantly reviewing its paramedic and control room resources to ensure emergency needs were met.

Dr Yimmy Chow, London regional deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency, urged people to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, stay hydrated and keep indoor spaces cool where possible.

"With an Amber Heat-Health Alert in place, we encourage Londoners to continue to take sensible precautions to protect themselves and others during the next period of hot weather," he said.

"Anyone entering rivers, lakes or other open water should be aware that, even during hot weather, water temperatures can be dangerously cold and may trigger cold water shock, affecting breathing and the ability to stay afloat.

"By looking after ourselves and one another, we can help reduce the impact of hot weather on our communities and health services."

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