London Ambulance Service Records Highest Ever Number of Life-Threatening Calls During Heatwave

The London Ambulance Service has recorded the highest ever number of life-threatening emergency calls in its history as the capital swelters under extreme heat.

Paramedics responded to 642 Category 1 calls on Wednesday — the most serious incidents including cardiac arrests and patients who are not breathing — before that record was broken again on Thursday as temperatures continued to climb.

Busiest Days on Record

Wednesday was the fifth busiest day in LAS history, with crews handling 7,900 calls in total and responding to nearly 3,600 patients in a single day. Call-outs included people collapsing with heat exhaustion, struggling to breathe, and experiencing heart problems triggered by the extreme temperatures.

Jason Killens, chief executive of London Ambulance Service, said the surge in emergencies had been directly driven by the extreme heat. Our crews are working very hard in challenging conditions to care for patients, he said. "Please help them to help you by taking care of yourself and others."

Emergency Response

The service has put more than 400 additional ambulance crews on the road during the heatwave in an effort to meet demand. Despite these measures, some patients have faced longer waits as the service prioritises the most life-threatening cases.

London's NHS hospitals have reported a significant increase in A&E attendances, with many patients presenting with heat-related conditions. Several major hospitals have declared critical incidents to free up additional capacity.

Public Health Advice

Health officials have urged Londoners to take precautions during the extreme heat. Advice includes drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding the sun between 11am and 3pm, keeping homes as cool as possible, and checking on vulnerable neighbours and relatives.

The UK Health Security Agency has emphasised that heatstroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. Symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness, hot dry skin, and rapid breathing.

Wider Impact

The record ambulance calls in London reflect a broader pattern across the UK, with ambulance services in the South East, East of England, and the Midlands all reporting significant increases in demand. The NHS has activated its national emergency preparedness framework to coordinate the response across affected regions.

The extreme heat has also affected hospital infrastructure, with reports of MRI scanners and cooling units failing under the strain, forcing some hospitals to cancel non-urgent procedures.