With a heatwave and a World Cup quarter final in the next few days, West Midlands Ambulance Service is bracing for a surge in emergency calls.
The Met Office is forecasting a prolonged spell of hot weather across the region, and with England set to face Norway on Saturday night, West Midlands Ambulance Service is anticipating spikes in callouts linked to both the heat and the game.
Nathan Hudson, chief operating officer at WMAS, said: “We’re expecting a busy few days as the warm weather continues and excitement builds ahead of England’s match.
“We’re planning for both and have increased resources across our service to make sure we’re ready to respond whenever people need us.”
Temperatures will peak at around 31c in Worcester between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday, but will continue to sit above 20c until midnight.
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The Trust will deploy extra frontline ambulance crews, more 999 call assessors, additional operational officers, and increased fleet support.
Hot weather often leads to a rise in heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and medical emergencies, and high-profile football fixtures can also drive increases in calls related to celebrations and large gatherings.
England will be in action on Saturday at 10pm when they face Norway in Miami – with millions at home watching (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Mr Hudson advised the public to enjoy the match and warm weather safely.
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He said: “Simple things like drinking plenty of water, protecting yourself from the sun, checking in on elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours, and celebrating responsibly can make a real difference.
“If you’re heading out to watch the match, plan your journey home, keep an eye on those around you, and remember that 999 should always be reserved for genuine life-threatening emergencies.
“Choosing the right NHS service when it’s not an emergency helps ensure our crews remain available for patients who need them most.
“We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable week and good luck to the Three Lions.”
