Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleRebecca WhittakerThursday 09 July 2026 10:32 BSTTube temperatures near 40C as commuters brave heatwaveNHS data revealed that average daily A&E attendances reached a record 81,264 in June, marking the first time such a high figure has been recorded.This surge in demand coincided with a heatwave that saw temperatures hit 37.7C in parts of the UK and prompted red health heat alerts across England.NHS national medical director Professor Frankie Swords stated that summer is now placing as much pressure on the health service as winter, with staff facing an "onslaught of demand".The increased strain led to several hospitals declaring critical incidents, including University Hospital Southampton, which had to cancel planned operations and some outpatient appointments.Beyond A&E, the NHS also experienced a 10 per cent rise in 999 calls and over a 7 per cent increase in ambulance incidents compared to the previous June, contributing to an overall waiting list for planned care that grew to 7.28 million in May.In fullA&E visits hit record high in June as heatwave struck UKMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in