NHS TOLD TO PLAN FOR ANNUAL HEATWAVES LIKE WINTER PRESSURES

Yvette Cooper, the health secretary, has called on the NHS to prepare for the effects of heatwaves each year using the same structured approach it applies to winter planning. Speaking to LBC Radio, Cooper stated that A&E departments have reported a "big increase" in patients attending due to hot weather effects this summer, comparable to winter demand levels. She said the NHS must establish plans to manage higher numbers of heat-vulnerable patients and ensure swift hospital discharge arrangements. Cooper also urged the public to monitor elderly and vulnerable people during heatwaves.

The UK registered its 34th day of temperatures reaching 30C or higher in a calendar year on Tuesday, equalling the record set in 1995. Forecasts suggest this record will be broken as early as next week, with potential for a sixth heatwave to develop. Some hospitals have reported disruption from equipment failures in the heat, including scanners and IT systems, alongside difficult working conditions for staff at older hospital sites. Yellow heat warnings are already in place in some areas.

Cooper told The Guardian that heatwave planning represents "a new thing for the NHS to have to deal with" and that the service requires "much greater resilience". She stated the NHS must undertake a clearer assessment of heat-related pressures and the management arrangements needed to respond. Cooper also discussed a public health awareness campaign to encourage the public to check on vulnerable individuals, including elderly people and young children, during periods of extreme heat.