A new heatwave coming this week could cause a spike in deaths, health leaders have warned.
The health heat alert has been issued for Worcestershire as temperatures climb again this week. It follows last month's heatwave which resulted in a red health alert being issued on two consecutive as many schools across the county closed.
The amber alert for the West Midlands will come into force on Wednesday and last until Sunday.
Issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the warning (risk score 12) says the heatwave means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures.
Recommended reading:
-
When is it too hot to work? Your rights explained as 38C heatwave to hit UK
-
New red heat alert means 'risk to life' for older people as warnings upgraded
-
When the next heatwave could hit the UK as 30C temperatures forecast soon
A UKHSA spokesperson said: "This may include a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups."
Other impacts include:
- likely increased demand on all health and social care services
- internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment
- the heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services
- indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
- issues managing medicines
- staffing issues due to external factors (for example, affecting transport)
- increased demand for power exceeding capacity
- other sectors starting to observe impacts (for example, travel delays)
- water‑related incidents may increase, including risks from cold‑water shock and drowning
