NHS must plan for heatwaves like it does for winter, health secretary says

The National Health Service (NHS) needs to develop heatwave response plans comparable to its winter preparations, according to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper. This year, there has been a significant rise in A&E attendances due to high temperatures. Some hospitals have faced disruptions from equipment failure under the heat. Cooper urged the public to support vulnerable individuals during heatwaves and advocated for improved NHS planning.

The UK recorded its 34th day of temperatures at 30C (86F) or higher in a single year, matching the 1995 record. Forecasts indicate this record could be broken within the next week. Yellow heat warnings are already in effect in some regions. The NHS traditionally prepares detailed winter plans, including strategies for increased patient numbers.

The Health Secretary emphasized that the NHS must similarly prepare for summer pressures. She highlighted the need for adequate resources to manage higher A&E admissions, especially for vulnerable patients, and swift discharge from hospitals. Unison, representing ambulance workers, reported challenging working conditions during heatwaves, including faulty or non-functional air conditioning in ambulances and limited access to water and sanitation facilities.

One ambulance technician described the heat as "vile." Unison stressed the necessity of establishing robust summer plans, similar to winter strategies. The UK Health Security Agency estimated that there were 2,877 heat-related deaths in May and June, nearly double the number of heat-related deaths in the entire previous year. It also warned that 2026 might see the highest number of heat-associated fatalities on record, surpassing the 2022 figures.