Heatwave calls flooded ambulance service

A&E departments across the country saw a substantial rise in elderly patients and children suffering from heat-related conditions last week, according to the College of Emergency Medicine.

Dr John Heyworth, president of the college, said many departments had treated between 20 and 30 extra patients every day last week.

London Ambulance Service received 19,485 calls during the hottest four days last week – a 20 per cent rise on the week before. The numbers of patients in the capital reporting breathing difficulties, as temperatures hit 31C, were up a third.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA received 366 calls about overheated animals in the first three days of July compared with 900 in the whole of June – a record number itself.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating after two police dogs died when they were left in a parked vehicle outside Nottinghamshire police headquarters on Tuesday.