Hot weather forces South East Coast Ambulance to declare a critical incident
At the point they made the decision last night, the service had numerous outstanding calls, including some requiring more specialist help
Last updated 26th Jun 2026
The South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has declared a critical incident after souring temperatures led to a surge in emergency calls.
The critical incident was announced at 22:40 on Thursday, 27th June, as ambulances struggled to keep up with numerous urgent calls for help.
It comes just as SECAmb faced one of its busiest days this year, partly due to the hot weather, which has put extra pressure on healthcare services.
James Pavey, SECAmb Strategic Commander, said that the critical incident should now help them manage demand:
"By declaring a critical incident, it allows our teams to focus our efforts on those patients who need us most. We are therefore focusing our resources on life-threatening emergencies," Pavey said.
People with less urgent needs might have to wait longer, and are encouraged to find help elsewhere, such as NHS 111 online or by phone, GP, or urgent treatment centres.
While the heat is expected to ease soon, the demand for ambulance services is likely to stay high.
SECAmb say they are working hard to get back to normal service as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, people are told to take care during the hot weather by staying hydrated, avoiding heat during peak hours, and checking on vulnerable friends and family.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service covers areas in Sussex, Kent, Surrey, and North East Hampshire, serving over 4.9 million residents.