HEALTH bosses are urging people to think twice before dialling 999 when they are suffering the effects of sun burn or heat exhaustion.

The advice comes as temperatures continue to creep into the 30s.

In the last week, East of England Ambulance Service medics, who cover Essex, have responded to 25 calls where people have collapsed while out in direct sun light.

Oskan Edwardson, associate director of special service operations, said: “A heatwave is obviously a good thing for us to enjoy, but as an ambulance service we have to prepare for some of the consequences it can have for our operations.

“We are asking the public to think twice about dialling 999 for an ambulance when they get sunburn or are suffering the effects of the heat."

He added: “Our highly skilled control room staff and clinicians will triage each heat related call and if it’s deemed non-life threatening, alternative care pathways advice will be given.

"If the call is of a life threatening nature, a blue light response will be dispatched to the call.”