East of England ambulance boosts response level amid high demand
Hot weather and hospital delays lead to highest alert level activation
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) is on high alert, boosting its response level due to soaring demand for services.
Hot weather has put extra pressure on ambulance crews, while hospital handover delays have worsened the situation.
Starting 22nd June, EEAST dealt with an average of 332 urgent calls each day, much higher than last year's daily figures.
Friday 26th June saw the service's busiest day ever with 416 urgent calls.
The entire week saw more calls and incidents compared to June 2025, with record numbers since 2017.
To cope, EEAST added 100 more ambulance crews last week.
With temperatures set to climb further, EEAST switched to their highest alert level, REAP Level 4, allowing extra steps to handle the demand and keep patients safe.
What it means for patients
The switch to REAP Level 4 means pulling in all available staff to focus on emergencies.
In some cases, patients might be advised to make their own way to the hospital to free up resources for the most urgent cases.
How you can help
Only call 999 for life-threatening situations.
For less urgent health questions, turn to NHS 111 or speak to your local pharmacist.
To stay safe in the heat: stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight in peak hours, check on vulnerable friends and family, cool down often, and protect your skin from the sun.
Darren Meads, EEAST Chief Operating Officer, commented: "The recent period of hot weather has led to a significant and sustained increase in demand for our services, alongside continuing pressures across the wider healthcare system.
"Moving to REAP Level 4 allows us to implement additional measures to help manage this demand and ensure we continue to prioritise patients who need us most urgently.
"I would urge the public to think carefully before calling 999. If you have a genuine medical emergency, we will respond, but you may experience delays if your condition is not immediately life-threatening.
"During periods of exceptional demand, patients with the most serious and life-threatening conditions will always be our priority. Those with less urgent needs may wait longer or be directed to other NHS services that can provide the most appropriate care.
"We would like to thank the public for their support and patience during this challenging period and apologise to anyone affected by delays."