Heat health alert extended for the South East as high temperatures to continue in Portsmouth and Hampshire
Amber alert signifies significant impacts are likely to health and social care services
An amber heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency has been extended by 24 hours with high temperatures to continue in the coming days.
Portsmouth and Hampshire experienced high temperatures over the bank holiday with it reaching 29 degrees on Monday, May 29. According to the Met Office, Wednesday, May 27 could be the hottest with temperatures expected to reach 30 degrees.
A UKHSA spokesperson said: “ Amber heat‑health alerts have been extended until Thursday 28 May and now include the South West, alongside the South East and central England. Check in on vulnerable people and know what to do if someone becomes unwell in the heat”
The alert has been extended with forecasted high temperatures ‘likely’ to have a ‘significant impact’ on health and social care services throughout the region. These impacts 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
- 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