‘Dangerously hostile’: heatwaves leave hospital wards unsafe, data reveals | The Guardian (GB)

Hospital wards across England became dangerously hot this summer, with temperatures soaring to nearly 42C, compromising patient safety and disrupting medical services. Data from 33 NHS trusts revealed that ward temperatures frequently exceeded the 28C limit set by NHS England.

The extreme heat forced the cancellation of surgeries as operating theater cooling systems failed. Patients also contributed to the disruption by postponing their own procedures, citing the discomfort of traveling in the intense heat. This situation highlights the vulnerability of healthcare infrastructure to climate extremes.

Healthcare providers implemented measures to mitigate the effects of the heat. Frail elderly patients were offered appointments at cooler times of the day, either early morning or late evening. Ambulance services struggled to keep essential medications at the required temperatures within their vehicles. To support staff, NHS ambulance trusts relaxed their usual dress code policies, allowing crews to wear cooler attire to better manage the heat during their shifts.