England is set for the highest number of deaths caused by heatwaves since figures began.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it “is likely that 2026 could see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record”, surpassing the number in 2022 when the agency started studying them.
An estimated 753 deaths were associated with the heatwave that ran from May 24-27, with a further 2,124 deaths linked to the heatwave between June 21 and 28.
The total of 2,877 deaths is almost double the 1,504 across the UK heatwaves in June to August last year.
“While these figures remain interim, they are already approaching the annual record reported by UKHSA in 2022,” the report said.
Some 2,985 heat-associated deaths were observed across the five heatwaves of 2022, a year that had the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK, when 40.3C was reached in Coningsby in Lincolnshire on July 19.
This year has seen both May and June break Met Office monthly temperature records for the UK, with 31.5C recorded at Kew Gardens on May 26 and 38.0C recorded at Lingwood, Norfolk on June 26.
Dr Ross Thompson, principal environmental public health scientist at UKHSA and author of the report, said: “These figures highlight the significant danger that very hot weather can pose to people’s health.
“This is particularly true for those who are more vulnerable including older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.
“While the figures are interim, they suggest that, if we experience more periods of hot weather this summer, we could see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record.
“As the climate becomes warmer, we can expect periods of hot weather to become longer, more frequent and more extreme.
“That’s why it’s vital that individuals, communities and systems are prepared to deal with higher temperatures, and to ensure those most vulnerable to the heat are protected.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper, said: “The sweltering heat has had a serious impact this summer on people’s health and on our NHS.
“For many years, we have been used to winter pressures in our NHS and the need to support those who are vulnerable in the coldest weather.
“But now we are seeing the summer heat have an increasingly serious impact on the health of thousands of people, and on the pressures facing our NHS too.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones as a result of the long and intense heatwaves in recent months.
“And my heartfelt thanks go to the NHS staff, care workers and emergency responders who have worked tirelessly through these exceptionally busy and challenging months to protect and care for people affected by the heat.”
This year has marked the first time that temperatures have reached 35C in May, June and July in the same year as scorching temperatures continue.
The heatwaves this year forced several hospitals to declare critical incidents – meaning they cannot provide normal safe services due to pressures on patient flow, bed capacity, or staffing – due to vast demand on services.
London Ambulance Service recorded the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in its history in June, with paramedics saying the rise had been “driven by extreme heat”.
It said 24 June was its fifth busiest day ever, with 7,900 calls and ambulance crews responding to nearly 3,600 patients in a single day.
The news comes as almost half of England’s population is experiencing official drought conditions following a period of low rainfall and back-to-back heatwaves.
Up to 28 million people live in the affected areas, namely East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex – covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
The Environment Agency has described the conditions as a “flash drought”, with July set to be England’s driest month on record.
NHS Alliance director for primary care, community and neighbourhood health, Ruth Rankine, said there had been a “marked increase” in the number of GP appointments in June compared with the previous month and they were up by more than 10% from the same time last year.
“It’s possible this could reflect the impact of sustained high temperatures which can increase health risks for vulnerable people and have unfortunately led to a sharp jump in deaths linked to heat,” she said.
“Great credit is due to GPs and primary care colleagues for the way they are rising to the exceptional challenges of this summer season. They are doing all they can to help people as quickly as possible.”
