Wales' extreme heatwave could lead to a spike in deaths unless people take proper precautions, one of the country's most senior doctors has warned. Deputy chief medical officer for Wales Chris Jones said the amber heat warning announced by the Met Office for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday comes at a time when the NHS is already under "unprecedented pressure".
He added that event organisers should consider postponing their mass gatherings during this period if they are not confident that they can keep people protected from the sun. Parts of east Wales could see temperatures reach early to mid-30s next week which could endanger life.
Dr Jones said the heatwave will have a significant impact on society affecting everything from transport to schools and workplaces. Here is the full transcript of the interview we carried out with him on Thursday.
Read more: Top doctor issues warning ahead of extreme temperatures set to cause 'significant impact'
Q. Is an extreme heat warning like this just as dangerous to elderly and vulnerable people as the cold is in the height of winter?
It's hard to say that it's the same but we're seeing increasing kind of extremes of weather, both cold and hot, and both of those extremes bring risk to the vulnerable. I think it is most important we look after the elderly, young children, people with chronic conditions on medication most of all but we're all potentially at risk if we're not careful with the extreme heat.
Q. How is the NHS typically affected by an extreme heatwave and what are the main problems it causes for staff?
This new extreme heat warning is happening at a time when the NHS is already under unprecedented pressure. And so one reason to give the advice we're giving is to help people enjoy the weather but also to stop them ending up in the NHS or waiting for ambulances or sitting in emergency departments.
If people don't take care they're at risk of getting heat stroke, which is probably a combination very often of sunburn, of being dehydrated with a low blood pressure, headache, and dizziness. People can collapse in that situation and become really very unwell.
Some people, if they don't protect themselves, may well end up needing emergency services to have intravenous infusions of fluids. So there is a risk to the NHS as well as to individuals.
Q. Is a rise in deaths inevitable during this period?
When we have experienced extreme heat before there have been increased deaths. So there are good reasons to give the advice that we and the Met Office have given to protect ourselves.
The alert gives us warning. It gives us time to prepare or maybe even change plans and think a bit about the common sense measures we can take:
- Stay hydrated: drinking water is vital as your body loses more fluid in higher temperatures.
- Plan ahead and stay in the shade: it is best to avoid the hottest part of the day between midday and 3pm and avoid doing strenuous outdoor activities between these times.
- Wear sunglasses and sun protection: sunscreen or sun blocks will help to prevent sunburn.
- To keep your home cool turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment and keep rooms shaded by closing blinds and curtains.
- Do not leave young children, elderly people, or pets in parked cars as temperatures inside can soar.
- While the temptation to cool off may be high be careful around open water including river and lakes and supervise children.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing and a hat if outdoors.
So we're asking people to bear in mind these protections and look out for each other to look out for their vulnerable neighbours and family.
Q. Would you advise some workplaces to shut during this period – particularly those which do not have air conditioning, for example?
The amber alert is relevant to everybody and everybody needs to consider their responsibilities. The Welsh Government is working with businesses as well as with schools and local authorities and emergency services as well.
Businesses are under a legal duty to provide a safe environment for their workers so they will need to consider the temperature in the office or the ventilation arrangements. So everybody has a responsibility to think about how they meet that responsibility in the light of this warning.
Q. Many children will be in their last week of school when the warning is in force. Do you think schools should be opening up when temperatures are reaching such high levels?
The Welsh Government is not saying that schools should close but it is working with the education sector to share the advice that can be given. So schools will have to consider how they prepare for these three days that are in the warning. And it's the same sort of measures I've outlined already. If children are outside can they be in the shade? Are they adequately protected with sun cream or sunblock? Can they wear light clothing? Can we make sure they're not expected to undergo extreme exertion at the height of the day? So there are a lot of measures that schools can take to protect children so they can see themselves out to the end of term quite safely.
Q. When is it suitable for people to dial 999 if they're not feeling well in the heat?
If people do become unwell in the extreme heat they will preferably need to seek advice through the NHS 111 service. They can also seek advice through 111 online. In most cases hopefully they won't need a 999 ambulance so 111 is a better number.
Q. What would be your advice people who have already caught the sun and are feeling the effects of sunburn or heat stroke?
I'm sure that some people will find themselves in that situation and they will need to get out of the sun as quickly as possible. Get somewhere cool, drink water to keep hydrated, they may need to take anti-inflammatory-type medication if they have a headache and a lot of sunburn as well.
Q. What would be your advice to people staging events between Sunday and Tuesday, particularly those which don't have shelter?
I think everybody organising events has a responsibility for the people they are hosting in their event. So they have to consider whether they can really keep people safe.
If they can't offer the opportunity for people to be in the shade, they can't offer regular access to water availability, of any protective garments like hats, or they cannot move the time of their event out of the heat of the midday sun, then they've got to consider whether that event should carry on in the in the way as planned.
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