London Ambulance Service responds to record number of life-threatening emergencies

“We have seen the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in our history, driven by the extreme heat across London”

London Ambulance Service has recorded its highest ever number of life-threatening emergencies this week as temperatures soared across the capital.

Ambulance crews responded to a record 642 Category 1 calls on Wednesday (24 June) when temperatures reached 36 degrees Celsius, breaking the record for the hottest day in June.

Category 1 incidents include the most serious, life-threatening injuries and illnesses such as cardiac arrests and patients who are not breathing.

Chief Executive Jason Killens KAM said:

“We have seen the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in our history, driven by the extreme heat across London.

“Our crews are working very hard in challenging conditions to care for patients, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our people for their incredible hard work.

“Please help them to help you by taking care of yourself and others – stay out of the sun and keep hydrated.”

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In anticipation of greater demand because of the heat the Ambulance Service put more than 400 additional ambulance crews on the road this week.

The service received a total of 7,900 calls on Wednesday and ambulance crews responding to nearly 3,600 patients in a single day. Heat related incidents included people fainting, struggling to breathe and experiencing heart problems.

They warn: ‘Patients can become seriously unwell very quickly in the heat. Even after temperatures begin to fall, respiratory and heart-related incidents can increase in the days following a heatwave’.