EEAST moves to REAP 4 following sustained pressure

The recent period of hot weather has led to increased demand for ambulance services across the region, while delays in transferring patients at hospitals have also continued to place pressure on ambulance crews.

During the week commencing Monday 22nd June 2026, EEAST responded on average to 332 life threatening call calls per day (category 1) – 61 more than the June 2025 daily average of 271, representing an increase of 22.5%.

The busiest day during that week was Friday 26th June, when the Trust responded to 416 life threatening emergencies – 145 more than the June 2025 daily average.

Daily activity volumes from Monday to Sunday last week were significantly higher than the daily average volumes in June 2025, with increases across several key areas:

• Average of 1,065 more calls to our emergency operations centre per day (+26.4%)
• The highest weekly number of calls received by our emergency operations centre since comparable records began in October 2017.
• An average of 374 more incidents per day (+14.3%)
• An average of 172 more incidents requiring a face-to-face response each day (+7.7%)

In anticipation of increased demand linked to the rise in temperatures, EEAST deployed an additional 100 ambulance crews across the region last week to help maintain patient care and response capacity.

With temperatures forecast to rise again in the coming days, EEAST has taken the decision to move to REAP Level 4 to ensure additional measures can be put in place to help manage demand and maintain patient safety.

What this means for patients
The sustained pressure on ambulance services has resulted in longer response times for some patients.

By moving to REAP Level 4, EEAST can implement a range of measures to maximise frontline capacity, including deploying all available clinicians to frontline duties where appropriate.

Where it is clinically safe to do so, some patients who call 999 may be advised to make their own way to hospital or access alternative NHS services, helping to ensure ambulances remain available for patients with the most serious and life-threatening conditions.

How the public can help The public is urged to only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency.

For urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns, people should use NHS 111 online or by phone or seek advice from their local pharmacist.

People are also encouraged to take simple steps to stay safe during periods of hot weather, including:

• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day
• Checking on vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours
• Cooling down regularly and staying safe around water
• Protecting skin from the sun
• Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing

Darren Meads, Chief Operating Officer at EEAST, said: "The recent period of hot weather has led to a significant and sustained increase in demand for our services, alongside continuing pressures across the wider healthcare system.

"Moving to REAP Level 4 allows us to implement additional measures to help manage this demand and ensure we continue to prioritise patients who need us most urgently.

"I would urge the public to think carefully before calling 999. If you have a genuine medical emergency, we will respond, but you may experience delays if your condition is not immediately life-threatening.

"During periods of exceptional demand, patients with the most serious and life-threatening conditions will always be our priority. Those with less urgent needs may wait longer or be directed to other NHS services that can provide the most appropriate care.

"We would like to thank the public for their support and patience during this challenging period and apologise to anyone affected by delays."