Staying safe during the heat

Red heat health alert: actions at Gloucestershire Hospitals

Following the escalation of the Heat Health Alert to red across the South West, Gloucestershire Hospitals has implemented its Heatwave Plan in line with national guidance and our established adverse weather arrangements.

We are preparing for a period of sustained high temperatures, which is expected to place additional pressure on services and may affect patients, staff and our infrastructure. Our priority is to maintain safe, high-quality care for patients while supporting staff working in challenging conditions.

We are taking a range of steps to mitigate the impact of the heat, including deploying additional cooling equipment to priority areas and closely monitoring services where high temperatures may affect capacity.

• To help protect critical services, colleagues who can work from home are being encouraged to do so, reducing pressure on electrical systems needed for essential clinical areas.
• We are continuing to support staff wellbeing with practical measures, including access to drinking water, rest breaks and cooling options. This includes providing ice, water and supplies of ice lollies (supported by our charity) for patients and staff to help keep people comfortable during periods of extreme heat.
• We are also reviewing how services are delivered where appropriate, including making greater use of telephone and video appointments.
• We expect sustained pressure over the coming days and are working closely with system partners to monitor the situation and respond as needed.

We would also encourage the public to take simple steps to stay safe during hot weather, including staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day and checking in on vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours.

Our Emergency Departments (EDs) is very full today. It is hot and people are naturally wanting to be seen. However, many people in the ED have attended with ailments or concerns that could be seen elsewhere either using 111 online, pharmacists, Primary Care (GP’s) or at one of the 6 minor injury units.

Health advice in hot weather

At this time of year most of us look forward to some warm, sunny weather and the chance to spend time outdoors, but it’s important to remember that some people struggle to cope in the heat.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can become unwell when the weather is hot. People who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell include:

• older people aged 65 years and over
• babies and young children aged 5 years and under
• people with underlying health conditions particularly heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, or mobility problems
• pregnant women
• people on certain medications
• people with serious mental health problems
• people who are already ill and dehydrated (for example from diarrhoea and vomiting)
• people who experience alcohol or drug dependence people who are physically active and spend a lot of time outside such as runners, cyclists and walkers
• people who work in jobs that require manual labour or extensive time outside
• people experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as sofa surfers or living in hostels.
• people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves

What can we do to stay safe?

There are a few very simple things we can all to do stay safe when we experience high temperatures. This includes looking out for people who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated.

• Get in touch with friends, family or neighbours that may need help keeping cool.
• Staying cool indoors is important, taking action like closing curtains on rooms that face the sun but also remembering that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.

If you’re out and about, try to keep out of the sun and avoid physical exertion in the hottest part of the day.

• It is often cooler in the early mornings and in the evenings but check local weather forecasts to see conditions in your area.
• When out in the sun think about covering up with suitable clothing, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and applying SPF 30+ sunscreen with UVA protection.

More information

There’s lots more information online to help you stay safe during hot weather. Visit the UKHSA and NHS websites including their pages on how to beat the heat and on heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Met Office also have information on their WeatherReady campaign which you may also find useful.