Hospitals across the UK are declaring critical incidents as the ongoing heatwave pushes ward temperatures to 35°C, with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) warning of severe risks to elderly patients and critical equipment failures.
Critical Incidents Declared at Multiple Hospitals
Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) have both declared critical incidents. At NNUH, no MRI scanners are currently operational, and at least 254 outpatient appointments have been cancelled. Cooling units at Queen Alexandra Hospital have also failed, compounding the crisis.
East Surrey Hospital in Redhill declared a critical incident on Wednesday, forcing some appointment rescheduling, though the incident has since been stood down. University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust warned that some buildings lack air conditioning and patients may need to attend appointments virtually.
RCP Warns of Patient and Equipment Risks
Dr Hilary Williams, RCP clinical vice-president, said: "There are reports of older patients arriving at hospital having collapsed or with dehydration. Patients are facing overcrowding, and there are issues with machines, laboratories and kidney dialysis - all fundamental to providing safe patient care."
She added: "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."
Outdated Infrastructure Unfit for Extreme Heat
The RCP collated anonymous accounts from doctors describing "old Victorian hospitals" as "unfit to cope" with the heat. A report last year warned that 90% of NHS buildings are not equipped to handle prolonged extreme heat. Dr Williams noted: "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."
Temperature Records and Warnings
The UK could break its June temperature record for the second consecutive day on Thursday, with forecasts of 37-38°C. The Met Office red extreme heat warning remains in place for the south Midlands, south-east Wales, and southern England until midnight Thursday, while amber warnings cover parts of England until Saturday.
The UK Health Security Agency issued only its second ever heat-health red alert, affecting six regions until 11pm Thursday, indicating risk even for healthy individuals. Hospitals report increased demand, particularly from elderly patients suffering heat exhaustion.
Broader Impacts and NHS Pressure
Transport disruption and early primary school closures have been reported nationwide. Dr Williams called for system-level change: "Buildings must be upgraded to withstand extreme heat and other climate risks. Hospitals should be places of safety, not settings where extreme heat puts patients and staff at risk."
