NHS ‘crisis’ as heatwave takes a toll

NHS hospitals are experiencing a ‘summer crisis’ due to soaring temperatures, a leading medic has said.

Dr Nick Scriven, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said many hospitals had seen a large increase in attendances and admissions due to dehydration, particularly among the elderly.

He said this had added to pressures on emergency departments and acute medical units over recent weeks, derailing attempts to recover ground lost over the winter period. ‘We know about the effect cold weather has on health, but the recent hot weather has reminded us that heat can be equally as dangerous for people, not only the frail elderly but also those working outside,’ Dr Scriven said.

‘Hospitals are seeing large numbers of patients, particularly the elderly, requiring hospital treatment for dehydration and its effects and that is stretching capacity in some areas.

‘The concern is that, certainly in some hospitals, we have bounced unexpectedly from the recent extreme winter into a summer crisis when hospitals will be attempting to get back on track.’

His comments came as Public Health England (PHE) warned that vulnerable people – including the elderly, young children and those with long-term health conditions – were at risk as more hot weather is forecast for the weekend.

Dr Thomas Waite, PHE consultant in health protection, said: ‘Temperatures are likely to rise through the weekend and potentially into next week, which may leave older people, young children and those with long-term conditions, including heart and lung diseases, struggling to adapt to the heat.’

He added: ‘So keep an eye on friends and family who may be at risk.’