NHS England has reported a significant increase in demand, with A&E attendances reaching a record 2.5 million in July. This period, which included two heatwaves, saw the three busiest months ever for A&E recorded between May and July.
Despite this unprecedented pressure, the NHS improved its performance in several key areas. 75.4% of patients were seen, treated, or discharged within four hours in A&E, an increase from June. The waiting list for planned care also decreased to 7.27 million, even with a record number of patient referrals.
Ambulance teams handled 829,675 incidents in July, the fourth-highest total on record. Category 2 ambulance response times improved by 2 minutes and 42 seconds compared to the previous month, dropping below half an hour.
The NHS also achieved its best performance against the 18-week target for planned care in nearly five years, with 65.8% of patients waiting within 18 weeks for treatment in June. This is the best performance since September 2021.
Professor Frankie Swords, NHS National Medical Director, acknowledged the challenges posed by the heat but praised staff efforts. Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that planning for summer pressures in the NHS should be approached similarly to winter preparations.