‘Only call if life-threatening’: London ambulance plea after heatwave sparks busiest day since pandemic

Health officials in London are urging people to only call 999 in life-threatening situations as emergency call levels spurred by the heatwave have risen to levels last seen during the peak of the Covid outbreak.

London Ambulance Service said paramedics received 8,121 calls to 999 on Tuesday as the capital faced sweltering temperatures.

This was the service’s sixth busiest day to date; From 2pm until midnight, a record number of calls were made for a variety of heat-related conditions, including difficulty breathing, dizziness and fainting.

The increase comes as the record for the hottest May day on record was broken on Monday and then again on Tuesday; Kew Gardens in south-west London temporarily reached 35.1C.

Tuesday’s temperatures exceeded Monday’s all-time warmest meteorological spring temperature of 34.8C recorded at the same location.

Alison Blakely, deputy chief paramedic of the London Ambulance Service, said: “Although yesterday was our busiest day since the peak of the pandemic, we continue to be extremely busy.”

He added: “We want people to enjoy the weather but please take the necessary steps to look after yourself and those around you.

“As the weather will remain hot for the rest of the week, our message to the public is to stay safe in the heat, drink plenty of fluids, avoid excessive alcohol, stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm and contain vulnerable people, including those over 65, young children and those with pre-existing health conditions.”

Temperatures are expected to cool slightly in parts of the UK over the coming days, but health officials have confirmed that health warnings due to heat which means increased danger to health will be extended by 24 hours.

The UK Health Safety Agency said yellow warnings for the South West, South East, London, the East and West Midlands and the East of England will remain in place until 5pm on Thursday, while yellow heat-health warnings will remain in place for the North West and North East.

The yellow heat health alert means any impacts are likely to include increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, as well as an increase in health risk for those over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions.

Ms Blakely added: “Hot weather can have a significant impact on people’s health and we have seen an increase in calls about difficulty breathing, dizziness and fainting, as well as calls about chest pains and heart problems.

“We often see respiratory illness-related calls during rising temperatures, and heart-related calls become more common in the days following a heatwave.

“Sometimes people start feeling sick after a few days of hot weather, so please continue to take care of yourself and others.

“Londoners can help us by simply calling 999 in a life-threatening emergency and consider using their doctor and NHS 111 or NHS 111 online.”

Britons have also been urged to stay safe after nine people died after getting into trouble offshore following record-breaking heat in recent days.

The Royal Life-Saving Society has called on everyone to “stop and think” before entering the water in response to the deaths, the majority of which were children and young people.

The report noted that “warmer weather has unfortunately been linked to an increase in accidental drownings” and that despite the warmer weather, “water temperatures remain very cold.”

The Met Office said cloud and an improving easterly flow on Wednesday would lead to a drop in high temperatures in many areas; The highest temperatures are forecast in south-west England, where 32C-33C could be recorded.

High temperatures of 32C are expected in London and the East Midlands on Thursday; On Friday, temperatures have the potential to reach 30C in London and East Anglia. Temperatures around London and Kent are expected to be 29 degrees on Saturday.

The Met Office said that by Sunday the warmest air was expected to disperse southwards, approaching although temperatures were mostly above the year’s average for the whole of the UK.