An ambulance service has declared a critical incident due to the current period of hot weather creating increased demand.
South East Coast Ambulance Service declared a critical incident at 10:40pm on June 25.
In a statement, the ambulance service said: "The hot weather is contributing to increased demand, alongside ongoing pressure across the wider health and care system.
"We are focusing our efforts on patients who need us most. People contacting us with less serious conditions may experience longer waits and, in some cases, will be clinically assessed and directed to alternative care.
"If you need medical help but it is not life‑threatening, please consider using NHS 111, a GP, pharmacist or urgent treatment centre.
"We are asking everyone to take steps to stay well in the heat, including keeping hydrated, avoiding the hottest parts of the day and checking on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbours."
At the point of the declaration, the service said there were a significant number of outstanding calls waiting for an ambulance response, including a number of higher acuity incidents.
The declaration follows one of the busiest days for the service this year, with ongoing pressure across the wider health and care system and additional demand linked to the current hot weather.
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Strategic Commander, James Pavey, said: "By declaring a critical incident, it allows our teams to focus our efforts on those patients who need us most.
"We are therefore focusing our resources on life‑threatening emergencies.
"People contacting us with less serious conditions are likely to experience longer waits.
"In some cases, patients may be clinically assessed and advised to seek alternative care, rather than an ambulance being dispatched.
"We are asking the public to support us during this time by only calling 999 in a life‑threatening emergency."
Those needing medical help that is not an emergency are urged to use NHS 111 or seek help from a GP, pharmacist or urgent treatment centre.
Demand is expected to remain high over the next few days, and all possible measures will be put in place to ensure services return to normal as quickly as possible.
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