Heat-Health Alert has been updated for the South West

Overall Risk Score - YELLOW (10)

General Overview - Significant impacts are possible across the health and social care sector due to the high temperatures, including: observed increase in mortality across the population likely, particularly in the 65+ age group or those with health conditions, but impacts may also be seen in younger age groups; increased demand for remote healthcare services likely; internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment; impact on ability of services to be delivered due to heat effects on workforce possible and many indoor environments likely to be overheating, leading to increased risk to vulnerable people living independently in the community as well as in care settings.

YELLOW Heat-Health Alert - (Hot weather response) has been updated for the South West and is in effect between 29/07/2024 at 09:00 and 02/08/2024 at 09:00.

Please access the Weather-Health Alerting system via the UKHSA data dashboard and read the user guidance on the Weather-Health Alerting System gov.uk webpage.

Please note that the Met Office may issue National Severe Weather Warnings (e.g. Extreme Heat) with short notice that you need to be aware of, so you can take appropriate action to prepare for. Click on the following link to access the Met Office National Severe Weather Warning Service

All organisations, but especially those providing health and social care should be aware of the advice and guidance set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan, as to the actions necessary before and during a Heat-Health Alert Period. Specific advice is available in the links below.

Heat-Health Alerts are sent to the Chief Executive of every Health Trust provider of NHS commissioned care, Local Authority and Social Care Organisation in England. If you would like to add a colleague to receive these alerts, please go to: https://forms.office.com/e/Bw6mjea6qa. Feel free to share this link within your organisation, or anyone else you think may benefit from this service. If you would like to update your registration details, please complete the form here: Update registration details. If you would like to unsubscribe, please complete the form here: Unsubscription. If you have questions or technical problems with the subscription service, please complete the form here: Subscription enquiries.

The Heat-Health Alert Service operates in England from 1 June to 30 September each year, in partnership with the Met Office. This is the period when high temperatures are likely to occur. However, should high temperatures be observed or expected outside of this period, an extraordinary Heat-Health Alert will be issued and stakeholders are advised to take the usual public health actions.

To aid local planning, Local Resilience Forum (LRFs) and their regions can be found here: Guidance - Local Resilience Forums: Contact Details.

NEXT ISSUE:

Daily risk assessment are made in conjunction between the UKHSA and the Met Office. Should the alert level change in any region a new alert will be issued.