South Western Ambulance Service Tops 4,000 Daily Calls as Heatwave Drives Record Pressure
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 10
South Western Ambulance Service Tops 4,000 Daily Calls as Heatwave Drives Record Pressure
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 10
Summary
Over 4,000 emergency incidents a day hit South Western Ambulance Service during the June heatwave, up from about 3,000 on a typical winter peak, with managers expecting more pressure this week.
Paramedics and call handlers say the surge is being driven less by dramatic rescues than by dehydration, heat exhaustion and worsened chronic illness among elderly, very young and medically vulnerable people.
Three of four BBC-observed callouts were heat-related, including patients left faint, breathless or seizing in stifling homes; crews said some incidents could have been avoided with fluids, ventilation and earlier checks.
Extra clinical staff have been deployed in the control hub, while frontline crews are also battling the heat themselves during long shifts in protective gear.
With heatwave conditions forecast through next week, the trust is urging families, neighbours and carers to check on older people, keep water within reach and cool homes before emergencies develop.