The London Ambulance Service (LAS) experienced higher call volumes during the June heatwave than at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. More than 53,000 emergency calls were received by LAS in June, leading to the deployment of an additional 600 ambulance crews.
Crews treated patients for conditions such as cardiac arrests and breathing difficulties, as well as those whose conditions became life-threatening due to the heat. Alex Ewings, strategic commander for LAS, described the record-breaking heat as generating "some of our busiest weeks that we've seen".
Across June and July, LAS received over 403,000 emergency calls, which is 25,000 more than during the same period last year. The service is currently receiving around 6,000 calls a day, exceeding the typical 5,500 for this time of year.
With an Amber Heat-Health Alert in place, Londoners are urged to stay safe as temperatures are expected to reach 36C (97F). Dr Yimmy Chow, London regional deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency, advised people to avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day, stay hydrated, and keep indoor spaces cool.