Heat puts ambulance service on highest alert level

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has declared its highest level of alert after an increase in demand during the recent hot spell.

It said it received an average of 332 calls per day last week to life-threatening emergencies - peaking at 416 on 26 June - compared with a daily average of 271 in June 2025.

The service, which serves six counties, said it had deployed 100 extra ambulance crews and urged people to only call 999 if their situation was life-threatening.

Chief operating officer Darren Meads said the hot spell had led to a "significant and sustained increase in demand" alongside "continuing pressures across the wider healthcare system".

"Moving to Resource Escalation Action Plan Level Four allows us to implement additional measures to help manage this demand and ensure we continue to prioritise patients who need us most urgently," he said.

Another heatwave is likely to be declared in parts of the UK as temperatures rise over the weekend.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat health alerts for regions including the East of England from Saturday.

An EEAST spokesperson urged people to call 111 or seek help from a pharmacist to manage non-life-threatening health issues.

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