The scorching heatwaves and England's World Cup frenzy have created a perfect storm of unprecedented demand on the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Data reveals that Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments faced their busiest month on record in June, with an astonishing 81,264 daily attendances – the first time average daily numbers have exceeded 80,000. This 'summer onslaught' has left health officials describing it as one of the most significant pressures on emergency services in recent history.
Despite this intense pressure, there are encouraging signs that patient satisfaction with other areas of the NHS is rebounding. According to new figures, over three-quarters (76.7%) of patients rated their overall experience with their GP practice as good last year – a welcome increase from 73.9% in the previous year. The growth of online services has played a significant role in this improvement, with almost four in five respondents (79.2%) using digital platforms for health-related matters in the past 12 months – up from 69.0% in 2024.
The shift towards online channels is also evident in how patients contact GP practices, with nearly a third (30.8%) opting to do so online, almost double the figure from 2024 (16.9%). These changes aim to offer patients more flexibility and choice in accessing care, complementing ongoing efforts to enhance patient experience. Moreover, an impressive nine out of ten patients reported a positive experience with pharmacy services, while over 81% were able to secure an NHS dental appointment when needed – up from 76.3% in 2024.
However, the broader picture for the NHS remains challenging. The three busiest months in its history have all occurred in 2026, highlighting the escalating demand on services. June saw a substantial increase in emergency calls, with 894,143 calls to 999 answered – averaging 29,805 calls per day – a 10% rise compared to June last year. Ambulance incidents also climbed by over 7%, with almost 2,000 more incidents daily in June compared to the same month last year. While 75% of A&E patients were seen within four hours, this represents a slight decrease from June last year.
The ongoing strain is evident in planned care as well, with the overall waiting list for treatment increasing to 7.28 million in May – a rise of over 60,000 patients from April. The proportion of patients waiting within 18 weeks for planned care saw a slight increase to 65.6% in May. The NHS has also begun reporting on 'corridor care', revealing an average of 2,432 instances daily in emergency departments and 749 patients receiving care elsewhere in hospitals.