South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) reported on 20 June 2025 that an Amber Heat Health Alert has been issued across the South Central region and is in place until 9am on Monday 23 June1. The trust said temperatures are expected to remain high and asked the public to take simple precautions to reduce the risk of heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke1.
SCAS said it typically sees a rise in emergency calls during extreme heat, many of which it describes as preventable with a few sensible actions1. It asked people to look after themselves, check in on vulnerable friends and family, and be aware of the early signs of heat-related illness so that 999 services remain available for those who need them most1. The trust said high temperatures can be dangerous particularly for older people, babies and young children, and those with long-term health conditions1.
Mark Ainsworth, executive director of operations at SCAS, said:
"We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather safely, but high temperatures can be dangerous, particularly for older people, babies and young children, and those with long-term health conditions.
The trust's published advice for staying safe in the heat is set out below1.
| Advice | Detail given by SCAS |
|---|---|
| Stay hydrated | Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine |
| Keep cool indoors | Close curtains on rooms that face the sun and use fans if available |
| Avoid peak heat hours | Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm |
| Check in on others | Especially elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family |
| Vehicles | Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, including pets and children |
SCAS advises that anyone who begins to feel unwell with symptoms such as dizziness, excessive sweating or a sudden headache should move to a cool place, rehydrate, and seek advice from NHS 111 online or by phone, and that 999 should always be dialled in a life-threatening emergency1. It directs readers to NHS heat exhaustion and heatstroke information for further advice1.
The announcement does not state which counties or council areas fall within the South Central region, and no list of areas covered by the alert has been reported1. The alert level system itself, and the difference between Yellow, Amber and Red alerts, is set out in the guide to Heat-Health Alerts: Yellow, Amber and Red Explained; further material on hot weather is collected in the heatwaves and drought hub.
Why it matters for households
The alert covers the South Central region and runs until 9am on Monday 23 June 20251. During that period, households in the area are within a spell of hot weather that the ambulance trust links to a seasonal rise in emergency calls, and it identifies older people, babies and young children, and people with long-term health conditions as particularly at risk1. The practical points the trust raises are heat exhaustion and heatstroke, the early signs of which it lists as dizziness, excessive sweating and a sudden headache, and the pressure that preventable calls place on 999 services1. Its stated advice covers hydration, keeping rooms cool, avoiding the sun between 11am and 3pm, checking on vulnerable neighbours, friends and family, and never leaving anyone in a closed, parked vehicle1.
What happens next
The alert remains in place until 9am on Monday 23 June 20251. No further alert levels or later dates have been reported. Households who want alerts sent to them directly can find the process described in the guide to signing up for Heat-Health Alerts.
Heat-Health Alerts Explained
