Doctors have warned that some NHS hospitals are “unfit to cope” as patients face temperatures of up to 35C on wards. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said the health service was dangerously underprepared for the extreme heat. Examples shared by medics included high temperatures on geriatric wards, overcrowding in areas without air conditioning and machines breaking down, including those used to treat cancer.
Critical Incidents Reported
One physician said their hospital had “called a critical incident due to multiple areas with machine problems”. They also described “major issues” with IT servers due to the sweltering conditions, adding: “We thought we were going to lose everything, so we were all asked to turn off non-essential computers and electrical equipment, including lights.”
Overcrowding and Dehydration
Another doctor said: “Lots of people, especially older patients, are turning up having collapsed or with dehydration. In terms of inpatients, the conditions are awful due to overcrowding. Very few places have air conditioning and staff are really struggling.”
Survey Reveals Lack of Preparedness
A survey of RCP members last year found 58% felt their workplace was unprepared for extreme weather events. Three quarters were concerned about the impact of climate change on the health of their patients.
RCP Vice-President Calls for Action
RCP clinical vice-president Dr Hilary Williams said: “Patients are facing overcrowding, and there are issues with machines, laboratories and kidney dialysis — all fundamental to providing safe patient care. The impact of heatwaves on staff cannot be overstated. There is a sense of foreboding when we see the weather forecast, because we know what is to come, and there is very little staff can do. It is not as simple as buying fans, which can present a fire risk when used alongside oxygen, and may increase the spread of infection. The NHS is already facing enormous pressure from rising demand and workforce shortages. Coupled with an ageing estate, these challenges intensify during extreme weather.”
Upgrades Needed
Dr Williams called for buildings to be upgraded to withstand extreme heat and other climate risks, with greater resilience included in plans for NHS reform. She added: “Hospitals should be places of safety, not settings where extreme heat puts patients and staff at risk.”
Warning for Mental Health Patients
The Royal College of Psychiatrists also issued a warning to people with mental illnesses, who can be at higher risk of health problems linked to heat. Dr Daniel Harwood, chair of the college’s Planetary Health and Sustainability Committee, said: “With the Met Office issuing a ‘risk to life’ weather warning for parts of the UK, people with mental health conditions and taking medications including antidepressants, mood stabilising or antipsychotic medications must take special care. We know people with mental health conditions — especially severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder — often have worse underlying physical health than the general population, so they may be more vulnerable to sunburn, dehydration and heat stroke.”
