HEALTH
London NHS after a record summer: the numbers and the right route to care
London’s NHS has moved from its busiest and hottest summer on record into winter planning. The useful response is not alarm: it is knowing which service matches the problem and where the official live advice sits.
- August A&E
- 408,223 attendances
- Summer heat
- 40 days above 30°C
- Four-hour performance
- 78.1% in August
- Emergency
- 999 for life-threatening danger
What changed
NHS England’s London region reported 408,223 A&E attendances in August and 129,168 ambulance incidents. It said London experienced 40 days above 30°C and is now preparing for sustained winter demand.
Choose the right front door
Use your GP or pharmacy for routine advice, NHS 111 when you need urgent help but it is not life-threatening, and 999 or A&E for a serious or life-threatening emergency. Do not delay emergency care because services are busy.
Before leaving home
For non-emergency care, use NHS 111 online or by phone. It can direct you to the most appropriate available service. Check opening times and access information on the service page before travelling.
Build household resilience
Keep repeat prescriptions, essential contacts and eligibility information for seasonal vaccinations in one place. Families and carers should agree who can help if illness disrupts school, work or travel.
Source and limits
These are regional service figures, not a prediction of an individual wait. The NHS page and live service finder remain the decision points; LONNOW does not diagnose symptoms.
