‘Dangerously hostile’: heatwaves leave hospital wards unsafe, data reveals
Figures disclosed by 33 NHS trusts show temperatures on wards during July rose above 28C limit set by NHS England Hospitals in England have recorded temperatures of almost 42C this summer, with surgeries being cancelled because operating theatres’ cooling units stopped working in the intense heat. The Northern Care Alliance NHS foundation trust, which runs four hospitals in Greater Manchester,…
A recent heatwave has led to unsafe conditions in hospital wards across England, according to data from 33 NHS trusts. Temperatures on wards soared above the 28C limit set by NHS England, with some reaching a scorching 42C this summer. As a result, surgeries were cancelled due to non-functional cooling units in operating theatres. The Northern Care Alliance NHS foundation trust, operating four hospitals in Greater Manchester, recorded a temperature of 41.8C during the recent heatwave, a full 14C above the safe maximum.
The extreme heat has not only affected medical facilities but also patients. Some patients are canceling their scheduled surgeries due to the unbearable temperatures. Hospitals and GP surgeries have responded by scheduling appointments for frail elderly patients early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are more manageable, to facilitate easier attendance.
Ambulance services are grappling with the heat as well. The vehicles' interiors can become dangerously hot, posing challenges in maintaining the proper temperature for medications. To combat this, NHS ambulance trusts have temporarily relaxed their dress code rules, allowing crews to wear shorts instead of trousers to stay cooler.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
