Hot weather sparks flurry of calls to West Midlands Ambulance Service
Calls to ambulance crews in the Midlands surged by more than 10 per cent during the weekend's hot weather.
Sunburn, dehydration, breathing problems and outdoor falls were the main reasons for the increase in people dialling 999 on Saturday and Sunday.
Temperatures soared to 77F (25C) which resulted in hundreds of calls to West Midlands Ambulance Service.
On Saturday, call numbers were up by almost eight per cent and on Sunday the number of calls increased by 10 per cent compared to recent weeks.
West Midlands Ambulance Service responded to 717 calls across the Black Country and 644 in Staffordshire on Saturday. The Staffordshire figure was a 15 per cent increase on the average figure for the three previous weekends.
On Sunday staff dealt with 712 calls across the Black Country and 629 in Staffordshire.
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, Murray MacGregor, said: "The warm weather undoubtedly brought lots of people out to enjoy the wonderful West Midlands.
"Unfortunately, that did also result in a number of additional calls for the ambulance service.
"When the weather gets warm, we get a rise in the number of people, usually with long term conditions, who suffer breathing difficulties.
"Equally, the most common reason for a 999 call over the weekend was as a result of the patient having fallen.
"However, there were a number of weather related calls too such as for sunburn, dehydration from being outside for too long without drinking enough non-alcoholic liquids and falls whilst enjoying a range of pursuits in the countryside.
"Once again the planning and hard work of crews ensured the public of the West Midlands got a very high level of service."
In recent weeks the ambulance trust which runs the service was fined £2.6million for failing to hit one of its key targets for reaching some patients with life threatening conditions.
However officials said despite increased number of calls the trust was able to exceed all of its performance targets and 'provided good clinical care to patients'.
Forecasters say the warmer weather will disappear over the next few days with showers, some heavy, expected across the Midlands.
The end of the week is predicted to have thunder and spells of rain but it is expected to be dry and sunny by Saturday.
