‘Dangerously hostile’: heatwaves leave hospital wards unsafe, data reveals

Hospitals in England are experiencing dangerously high temperatures, with some wards exceeding the recommended 28C limit and reaching nearly 42C during recent heatwaves. This intense heat has led to cancelled surgeries as operating theatre cooling units fail, and some patients are postponing their own procedures due to travel difficulties. Ambulance services are also struggling to maintain medication temperatures. In response, some NHS trusts are hiring air conditioning units, and ambulance crews have had their dress codes relaxed. The Liberal Democrats, who obtained this data, are calling for a new unit to "heatproof" NHS facilities and care homes, highlighting that many older hospital buildings are ill-equipped to handle extreme heat.

Nurses in the UK are reporting "inhumane" conditions in hospitals and care homes due to extreme heat during the country's fifth heatwave of the year. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stated that members have experienced temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in wards and care facilities. Many of these buildings lack air conditioning, fans, or even openable windows, leaving staff and patients exposed to dangerously high temperatures. The RCN's general secretary and chief executive described the situation as hospitals and social care buildings being "utterly unprepared for extreme temperatures," making them an "impossible and inhumane place to work or receive care."

Nurses are experiencing "inhumane and impossible" conditions due to extreme heat, with some collapsing during shifts, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The union is calling for urgent installation of air conditioning and improved ventilation in hospitals and care homes. Andy Burnham, responding to pressure from Labour MPs, stated he is currently focusing on immediate crises caused by extreme heat, promising to address broader climate adaptation questions later. The UK is experiencing record-breaking 30C-plus days, with large parts of England in drought and high wildfire risks. Nurses report working in wards exceeding 30C without air conditioning, leading to dizziness and nausea. The RCN warns of unsafe working environments and the need for heat-appropriate uniforms.

Europe is experiencing another intense heatwave, with millions across the continent, including the UK, France, Italy, and Spain, facing extreme temperatures. The UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Thursday, with west London reaching 38.1 degrees Celsius. Temperatures exceeded 35C in several European countries, impacting over 135 million people. Scientists attribute these increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves to human-caused climate change, which is warming Europe faster than any other continent. The extreme heat is causing significant strain in the UK, with nurses experiencing heat exhaustion in hospitals lacking adequate cooling and an increase in heatstroke cases affecting patients.

Amber heat health alerts are now in effect across most of England from 9 am today until 9 am on Friday. This comes a day after it was officially declared that 11 regions in the country are experiencing drought. The UK Health Security Agency outlines that these alerts signify potential risks including increased deaths and significant impacts on health and social care services. Other risks associated with the amber category include hospitals and care homes exceeding recommended internal temperatures, workforce service delivery being affected by heat, and increased danger to vulnerable people from overheating indoor environments. Additionally, there may be issues managing medicines, increased demand for power, possible travel delays, and a rise in water-related incidents.