Summer heatwave health warning

The Department of Health and the Met Office have triggered a heatwave plan warning that daytime temperatures in London could reach 32 degrees celcius in the daytime falling to only 20 degrees celcius at night. 

The DH has activated ‘heatwave plan alert level 2’ which means the risk that high temperatures will be reached in one or more regions on at least two consecutive days, and the intervening night, is 60 per cent. 

A DH spokesperson said that this was ‘an an important stage for social and healthcare services’ who would be working to ensure readiness to reduce harm from a potential heatwave.

‘Keeping the home as cool as possible during hot weather and remembering the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk is essential.

The elderly and those who are ill are particularly vulnerable during hot weather and the most oppressive conditions occur in our towns and cities.’ 

Linda Nazarko, a nurse consultant for older people at Ealing Primary Care Trust, told Nursing Times that it is was important to remember that older people can become more dehydrated during hot weather.

‘It is important that older people drink more water and take on board the warning messages, they are also more vulnerable to sunburn so they should use sunscreen and try and stay out of the sun,’ she said.

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