AMBULANCE crews experienced a fall in 999 calls on the hottest day of the year as the public heeded heatwave warnings.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service was already on 'black alert' ahead of the red 'extreme heat' warning issued by the Met Office over the last two days.

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Although pressure on the service remains exceptionally high, the latest data suggests people are listening to warnings issued by various bodies, including the Met Office, the ambulance service itself and the NHS bosses who manage Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

Some ambulance crews agreed to work overtime so the service could provide a better response to emergencies.

Hospital bosses say they have also responded to the heatwave, bringing in air cooler units to help patients and staff and even handing out ice pops.

The hot spell broke records earlier today as Heathrow Airport in London reported a temperature of 40.2°C at 12.50pm.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service received 4,731 calls across the region yesterday which was down 6,205 on the previous Monday (July 11) and 5,003 the Monday before that (July 4).

A spokesperson for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We are grateful to the public for heeding the warnings and taking extra care in the heat and ask that they continue to do so today.

"We'd like to also thank all of our staff and volunteers who continue to work extremely hard in these challenging conditions, particularly those who agreed to come in on overtime so that we could increase the number of ambulances on the road and call handlers in our control room so that we were fully prepared for the current heatwave."

We reported earlier today how wait times at Worcestershire Royal Hospital's A&E department were nearly 14 hours long.

According to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust website, Worcestershire Royal Hospital had wait times of 13 hours and 46 minutes, with 21 patients waiting to be seen at one stage.

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Once again, our staff are rising to a significant challenge, to keep our patients and colleagues safe during record-breaking temperatures.

"We’ve been putting measures in place across our hospitals to keep our patients safe and cool, including ensuring we can get patients off ambulances and into the Emergency Department as quickly as possible, bringing in air cooler units across clinical areas, and providing ice pops for patients and staff.

“The wellbeing of our staff is also being closely monitored, providing them with regular breaks, access to extra cooling areas and hydration stations.

"We’ve also relaxed our uniform policy for this week to ensure colleagues are as comfortable as they can be in this extreme heat. 

"I would also like to remind the public of the importance of keeping hydrated and being aware of the symptoms associated with heat exhaustion and heatstroke.”

Added pressure can be caused during hot weather by injuries sustained during outdoor activities – sunburn, barbecue burns, trips and falls. 

The heat can also worsen symptoms for people with chronic breathing problems. Elderly people who do not stay hydrated can get urinary infections. People are advised to wear sunscreen and to avoid drinking too much alcohol.