The UK experienced five heatwaves between May and August, and the NHS faced the busiest summer in its history this year.
A&E attendances in June, July and August crossed 7.2m (7,268,445), the highest ever total for the summer period, and more than 240,000 more attendances than the same period last year (7,027,384).
The NHS claims that despite this record influx, the A&E services were prompt and they treated the highest ever number of patients within four hours after arrival (5,462,182).
There were also a record number of ambulance call outs this summer (2,455,833 June-August) – up more than 130,000 than in the same period last year (2,322,891).
While over 100,000 more 111 calls were answered in June and July this year (3,051,137) compared with the same months last year (2,949,390).
June and July also saw more than 5 million people (5,374,603) get a vital diagnostic test or check on the NHS, the highest number in history over those months.
Despite an overall surge in demand, the NHS remains on track to deliver its elective treatment targets in 2026/27.
NHS National Medical Director Frankie Swords said, “While the NHS has been preparing for the coming winter earlier than ever before and resilience testing around winter plans has already begun, we have never gone into winter on the back of such a heavy summer."
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “This has been the most demanding summer on record for our A&E and ambulance staff, with heavy pressure on our NHS and winter still to come. I want to pay tribute to the incredible dedication of NHS staff."
Hospital upgrades
Meanwhile, the government has also announced a £1.5 billion investment to help NHS hospitals withstand year-round pressure.
Funding for more than 950 projects will make NHS hospitals safer, more resilient and better equipped to care for patients.
This includes over £200 million for 10 major projects such as new operation theatres, children’s wards and improved maternity and mental health facilities, and £1.3 billion for maintenance, safety and resilience projects across the NHS estate.
The government has also launched a heat taskforce, which will examine the impact of extreme heat on vulnerable groups and ensure planning for summer is on the same footing as planning for winter pressures.
