More amber heat health alerts issued - as World Cup and heatwaves drive record NHS demand

An amber heat health alert has been issued for two more parts of England as the NHS said staff are facing a "summer onslaught" after A&Es experienced the busiest month on record in June.

A third heatwave is under way in the UK, with temperatures reaching 35.3C at Wisley, Surrey, on Thursday afternoon.

The UK Health Security Agency's (UKSA) alerts now cover Yorkshire and north west England from 12pm on Thursday until 9pm on Sunday.

There are already alerts in place for the Midlands, southern and eastern England and South West.

A yellow heat alert is in place for the North East, which is until 9pm on Sunday.

This means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

The development comes after NHS England said it had experienced "record demand" last month amid heatwaves and the World Cup.

Parts of the country saw record-breaking heatwaves in both May and June.

New NHS figures show a new daily attendance record for A&Es was set last month, as the average visits per day to A&E exceeded 80,000 for the first time in June with 81,264 recorded.

That's despite May having a higher overall total due to it having an extra day.

NHS national medical director Professor Frankie Swords said: "These figures show that summer is now putting the NHS under just as much pressure as winter, with staff facing an onslaught of demand - and we have to prepare for it in the same way.

"Staff are currently experiencing the busiest months' of their career, but they are delivering for patients despite this record demand."

Professor Swords added: "What we're seeing on the ground is really busy Mondays following weekends of football and sunshine, so please don't delay coming forward for care when you need it, even if it's in early hours on a weekend.

"In the continuing warm weather, please take precautions like staying hydrated, and check in on loved ones or those who are vulnerable, and as always, please dial 999 in an emergency, and otherwise use 111."

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The number of answered calls to 999 in June reached a daily average of 29,805, bringing the total to 894,143, 10% higher than in June last year.

Health Secretary James Murray praised NHS staff saying: "Even in the face of record temperatures and the busiest summer in NHS history, healthcare staff have continued to deliver for patients and I want to thank every one of them for their extraordinary dedication."

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