NHS Faces Surge in Demand for Heat-Related Health Advice Amid Rising Temperatures

London, June 21, 2025 – The National Health Service (NHS) in England has experienced a dramatic rise in public demand for heat-related health advice as temperatures climb across the country. In the past 48 hours, visits to the NHS website’s heat exhaustion and heatstroke advice page soared by 198%, with 31,524 visits recorded since a heat-health alert was issued on Wednesday. This marks a significant increase from the 10,578 visits logged on Monday and Tuesday, highlighting widespread concern over the health risks posed by the ongoing heatwave.

The surge in online activity coincided with the escalation of the heat-health alert to amber status across all of England at midday on Thursday. NHS England reported that visits peaked at 20,048 within a single 24-hour period—equivalent to one visit every five seconds. The NHS has responded by urging the public to stay hydrated, seek shade, and take precautions, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions. The health service has emphasized that while heat exhaustion can often be managed at home if addressed promptly, heatstroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

In addition to heat-related concerns, the NHS noted an 86% increase in visits to its hay fever advice page over the past week, reflecting the impact of high pollen levels on public health. The current heat-health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, covers regions including the East of England, East Midlands, London, and the South East, with temperatures forecasted to reach up to 30°C. The alert is in effect through Sunday, with health officials warning of increased risks for the very young, the elderly, and those with existing medical conditions.

Dr. Claire Fuller, NHS Co-National Medical Director (Primary Care), stated, “We’ve seen a surge in visits to both our heat exhaustion and hay fever advice over the past week, with the high pollen levels also having an impact on people’s health”. She urged the public to follow NHS guidance, including staying indoors during the hottest parts of the day, wearing light clothing, and keeping living spaces cool.

The NHS continues to monitor the situation and is encouraging people to access its website for up-to-date advice on coping with high temperatures and preventing heat-related illnesses. Health and social care services have been advised to prepare for further alerts as summer progresses, with ongoing efforts to protect those most at risk.