Commenting on NHS England figures released on 09/07/2026 showing warm weather is fuelling record demand for healthcare, UNISON national ambulance officer Sharan Bandesha said:
“Heatwaves are piling even more pressure on already stretched ambulance services.
“Crews are spending hours caring for patients in the back of boiling hot ambulances while waiting to hand them over to busy hospitals. Many patients in dire need are likely to be treated in a car park.
“Spending hours in a sweltering vehicle, often without air conditioning, poses obvious risks, particularly for people who’re only there because they're seriously ill or injured.
“As engines need to be turned off while crews queue in the baking heat, on-board cooling systems are usually out of action.
“Ambulance trusts plan extensively for winter pressures. It's time summer is treated with the same level of urgency.
“Staff and patients must be protected from the predictable risks associated with extreme temperatures.”
