The London Ambulance Service (LAS) saw more than 10,000 patients for breathing problems during its busiest ever September, just over 330 a day, the trust said in a statement published on 12 October 2026. In the first week of October that figure climbed to almost 360 a day1.
Calls for the sickest patients, known as Category 1, have risen steadily to well over 500 a day in recent days, against the 400 LAS would usually expect to attend on a typically busy day. The service is currently taking between 6,000 and 6,500 999 calls a day, compared with 5,500 on a typically busy day, and received more than 6,800 999 calls on Monday 5 October. Calls to 111 have risen 19% on the same time last year as people seek advice around colds and flu1.
The trust said the elderly and vulnerable groups were among the hardest hit by the spike in patients with breathing difficulties, and reported a sharp rise in calls for patients whose hearts have stopped or who are not breathing. Chief Executive Jason Killens said the service had finalised its winter planning, including additional ambulances on the road during peak demand, more clinicians treating patients over the phone, and the use of AI tools to help record patient notes1.
"As ever, please only use 999 for emergencies. GPs, pharmacies and 111 are good places to get advice about colds, flu and seasonal illnesses."
Killens also said: "I would also encourage anyone who is eligible to get a flu vaccine to get one as soon as possible to help protect themselves and the vulnerable this winter"1.
| Measure | Usual level | Recent level |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing problem patients, September | Not given | More than 10,000 (just over 330 a day) |
| Breathing problem patients, first week of October | Not given | Almost 360 a day |
| Category 1 calls | 400 on a typically busy day | Well over 500 a day |
| 999 calls | 5,500 on a typically busy day | 6,000 to 6,500 a day; more than 6,800 on Monday 5 October |
| 111 calls | Same time last year | Up 19% |
Why it matters for households
The figures cover London only. They describe pressure on the capital's ambulance service at the start of the cold and flu season, with the trust reporting that elderly and vulnerable people are among those most affected by breathing problems. The service says its winter plan includes more ambulances at peak times and more patients treated over the phone rather than taken to hospital. The trust's advice is that 999 is for emergencies only, and that GPs, pharmacies and 111 are places to get advice about colds, flu and seasonal illnesses, and that anyone eligible for a flu vaccine should get one as soon as possible1. General guidance on preparing for seasonal illness is set out in the site's health emergencies hub.
What happens next
LAS said it had finalised its operational plans for this winter, working with partners across the capital on a city-wide approach. The plan includes scaling up cleaning and vehicle repair capacity, and working with hospitals so that patients are handed over more promptly at A&E departments1. No further dates for publication of demand figures have been reported.
