NHS data shows that June 2026 was the busiest June ever for accident and emergency departments, with thousands attending North East hospitals each day.
Analysis of NHS England data by ChronicleLive reveals that across the month, there were 106,667 attendances at emergency departments or minor injury clinics in the North East. That is an increase of more than 5,000 compared to June 2025 and 13,000 more than June 2022, averaging around 3,500 people per day.
Rise Across Trusts
Across the region's five hospital trusts, the data shows a significant rise in hospital attendances. Compared to June five years ago, there has been an increase of 13,612 attendances. Four of the five acute NHS hospital trusts saw year-on-year rises, with all trusts up significantly compared to five years ago.
This comes as health bosses highlight the impact of the heatwave on wellbeing and as the North East Ambulance Service runs its first ever summer safety campaign.
NHS Leader's Comments
Samantha Allen, chief executive of the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board and interim NHS England regional director for the North East and Yorkshire, thanked teams for their work across June and said this summer is set to be "the busiest in NHS history."
She said: "This is set to be the busiest summer in NHS history, with A&E attendances already at a record high for June, amid record heatwaves and the World Cup. Yet healthcare staff continue to show incredible commitment, compassion and resilience every single day."
National Context
Nationally, an average of 81,264 people attended A&E each day in June. The NHS said this was record-breaking and that the three busiest months in health service history have all been this year.
Trust-by-Trust Breakdown
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust: In June 2022 there were 20,891 attendances at A&E and urgent treatment centres. By June 2026, this had risen to 23,774.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust: In June 2022 there were 20,081 attendances. By June 2026, this had risen to 225,347.
Gateshead Health NHS Trust: In June 2022 there were 9,659 attendances. By June 2026, this had risen to 10,729.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust: In June 2022 there were 20,446 attendances. By June 2026, this had risen to 22,555.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust: In June 2022 there were 21,978 attendances. By June 2026, this had risen to 24,262.
