Key facts
- The NHS experienced its busiest summer on record due to heatwaves and high demand.
- A&E attendances reached nearly 7.3 million between June and August.
- Ambulance callouts totaled approximately 2.4 million from June to August.
- The waiting list for routine hospital treatments in England stood at 7.33 million by the end of July.
- 111,379 people had been waiting over a year for routine treatment by the end of July.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) experienced its busiest summer in history, with health officials attributing the surge in demand to a series of heatwaves and unprecedented pressure on services. A&E attendances between June and August reached nearly 7.3 million, a record for the summer period and almost a million higher than in 2022. Ambulances also dealt with a record number of callouts, approximately 2.4 million, during the same three months.
The waiting list for routine hospital treatments in England continued to grow, reaching 7.33 million treatments for 6.21 million patients by the end of July. This marks the highest level since October 2025. Furthermore, the number of patients waiting over a year to start routine treatment increased to 111,379 by the end of July, up from 105,711 in June.
Only 65.4% of patients began hospital treatment within 18 weeks of referral in July, a slight decrease from June but still above the government's target of 65%. However, leading surgeons expressed doubt that the target of seeing 92% of patients within 18 weeks by 2029 will be met, even if current improvement rates continue.
Health officials and think tank leaders described the situation as a "twin crisis," with summer pressures now rivaling winter demands and leaving little room for recovery. They emphasized that extreme heat is now a significant factor impacting the NHS and called for greater focus on climate resilience and prevention as core health policies. Staff morale is reportedly low due to relentless pressure and unresolved structural problems.