‘People don’t realise how at risk they are’: A day with an ambulance service in a heatwave

• Increased ambulance demand during heatwaves: Heat-related emergencies place significant strain on ambulance services, requiring clinicians to anticipate volume surges and triage accordingly during prolonged high-temperature periods.
• Public awareness gaps on heat illness risk: Many patients underestimate their vulnerability to heat-related conditions, suggesting GPs and A&E staff should proactively counsel high-risk groups (elderly, chronic disease, polypharmacy) on warning signs and prevention strategies.
• Frontline resource pressures: Heatwave periods expose ambulance service capacity constraints, highlighting the need for healthcare systems to implement heat contingency planning and consider alternative pathways to reduce unnecessary emergency conveyances.

The BBC join a crew based in Exeter as the UK sizzles in one of its longest-running heatwaves.

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