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East of England on Highest Alert Amidst Heat
3 Jul
Summary
- Ambulance service declared highest alert level due to increased demand.
- Daily emergency calls rose to 332, a significant jump from previous year.
- 100 extra ambulance crews deployed to manage the surge in demand.
The East of England Ambulance service (EEAST) has declared Resource Escalation Action Plan Level Four, its highest alert status. This move comes as a direct response to a significant and sustained increase in demand for emergency services, exacerbated by the recent hot spell.
Last week, EEAST experienced an average of 332 daily calls for life-threatening emergencies, a notable rise from the 271 calls per day recorded in June 2025. The service, which covers six counties, has responded by deploying an additional 100 ambulance crews. Officials are urging the public to reserve emergency calls for genuinely life-threatening situations.
Darren Meads, Chief Operating Officer, highlighted that the increased demand is occurring alongside ongoing pressures within the broader healthcare system. Implementing Level Four allows EEAST to enact further measures to manage this demand effectively, ensuring that the most critically ill patients receive timely attention.
