The NHS could come under extreme stress next week as temperatures head up to record levels in the UK. A “surge” in demand is expected, amid warnings the extreme temperatures could cause death, illness and disruption.
An “amber” extreme heat warning for much of England and Wales is in place for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures likely to peak in excess of 35C (95F) in southern, central and eastern areas of England. In the North East, temperatures are expected to be as high as 32C (90F).
It is possible some places could see “exceptional” heat, with potential to top the UK record temperature of 38.7C (101.7F) set in Cambridge in 2019, forecasters said. The warning says the extreme heat could cause health problems across the population, not just among people vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life.
People are being urged to stay out of the sun in the middle of the day, stay hydrated, look out for vulnerable people, never leave children or pets in a parked car, and keep curtains closed to keep out the sun. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “Any older person who is already coping with significant health issues, especially if they impact their heart or their lungs, is going to find the coming heatwave a challenge."
The Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse has said the Government is preparing for a “surge” in demand on the NHS and other services due to the expected heatwave. After chairing a meeting of the Cobra civil contingencies committee in Whitehall, Mr Malthouse urged the public to look out for people who were particularly vulnerable in the heat.
“The key thing we can do is prepare the Government services for what may be a surge in demand – not least the health service and elsewhere – but also critically communicate that the first line of defence is actually individual behavioural change,” he told BBC Radio 4’s The World At One. “People need to take care, do all the stuff they would do when it is very hot – wear a hat, drink water – but critically also (with) the most vulnerable groups – the elderly, those with cardiovascular problems and the very young – that people look out for them and take care.”
The Met Office said hot weather was caused by high pressure over the UK, with southerly air flow from the continent developing over the weekend to allow very high temperatures to start spreading northwards. Heatwaves have been made hotter, longer and more frequent by climate change and experts have warned of the need to adapt homes, cities and infrastructure in the UK for a future of more intense and deadly summer heat.
Professor Emily Shuckburgh, from the University of Cambridge, said: “Extreme heat is a silent killer with more than 2,500 heat-related deaths recorded in England in summer 2020, with the elderly especially vulnerable. “Climate change is meaning life-threatening heatwaves are becoming more intense and more frequent.”
Some parts of the UK are seeing soaring temperatures after months of below average rainfall. Farmers who are starting to harvest crops such as barley have raised concerns both about yields and crop and combine harvester fires in the tinder-dry conditions.
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