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NHS Heatwave: "Unsafe" Conditions Grip Hospitals
25 Jun
Summary
- Hospitals are failing due to extreme heat, impacting critical equipment.
- Patients experience adverse effects like falls and kidney injuries.
- Corridor care and emergency resuscitations occur due to lack of space.
Hospitals across England are grappling with extreme heat, leading to critical incidents and equipment failures, including radiotherapy machines and IT systems.
Medics report patient care has become unsafe, with some experiencing falls and acute kidney injuries due to soaring temperatures. Patients requiring resuscitation have been treated in corridors, compromising privacy and dignity.
Elderly and frail individuals are disproportionately affected, sometimes spending up to 24 hours in corridors without beds. Wards struggle to keep patients hydrated, and some are prescribed intravenous fluids.
Staff witness temperatures reaching 36C in offices, with inadequate cooling measures. Concerns are raised about insufficient fans for vulnerable patients and maternity units unable to maintain safe temperatures.
