Revealed: England’s June 2026 heatwave sparked record demand for ambulances

England's scorching June 2026 heatwave triggered a surge in ambulance demand, according to data obtained through freedom-of-information requests. Temperatures soared above 37C in certain areas, prompting the issuance of the country's second-ever "red" extreme heat warning. Four out of ten NHS ambulance services, including London's, responded to record numbers of severe emergencies on at least one day between June 23-27.

Two additional services in the south-west and east of the country set new records for the highest volume of 999 calls in history. The findings illustrate how heatwave-related demand surpassed traditional busy winter seasons and even the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic for many ambulance services. Heatwaves heighten the risk of life-threatening conditions like heart disease and respiratory issues, leading to nearly 3,000 heat-related deaths in the UK this summer.

Researchers calculated unprecedented demand for A&E departments and ambulance services. The five-day period from June 23-27 dominated these results, with at least two heatwave days ranking among each service's top 20 busiest days. This trend was most pronounced in the south and east of England, where temperatures reached up to 38C.

London, South East Coast, South Central, and North East services all reported daily records for responding to life-threatening emergencies during the heatwave. Experts attribute the surge to factors such as an ageing population, more complex health conditions, and growing mental-health pressures.