‘Horrific’ conditions grip U.K. hospitals unprepared for heat
In hospitals built for a cooler climate, staff dealt with patients too sweaty to receive IV drips, medication at risk of degrading and colleagues collapsing on the job.
Medical professionals in the U.K. describe the impact of this year's heat waves on Britain's healthcare system as "horrific," according to a survey by the Doctors' Association U.K. Hospitals built for cooler climates are now dealing with patients too sweaty to receive intravenous drips, medication at risk of degrading, and colleagues collapsing due to heat fatigue.
The past few months have revealed Britain's healthcare system's unpreparedness for the rapid climate change underway. Nick Watts, former chief sustainability officer of the National Health Service (NHS) in England, notes that the assumption of a stable climate was incorrect. Ninety percent of England's hospital buildings are vulnerable to overheating, with upgrades needed that are too expensive for the NHS's budget.
Extreme heat is challenging various aspects of Britain's infrastructure, including public transportation and educational institutions. A record number of emergency calls were received by emergency services during a heat wave last month, surpassing the number during the COVID-19 pandemic's peak. NHS staff reported concerns about patient safety, with 83% describing their workplace as "very hot" or "dangerously hot" in June.
The Royal College of Nursing called the conditions "inhumane," citing instances of nurses collapsing from dehydration. Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the NHS staff's efforts but emphasized the need for planning for summer pressures similar to winter preparations, including making healthcare facilities more resilient to extreme heat.
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