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UK Faces Rising Heat-Related Deaths
14 Jul
Summary
- Heat health alert issued for much of England from Tuesday to Friday.
- Thousands may have died from heat-related causes in May and June.
- Hospitals report busy A&E departments due to heatwave pressures.
A yellow heat health alert is active across England from Tuesday until Friday, with a significant impact expected due to hot weather. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 25C in parts of the South West, potentially affecting health and social care services. This alert follows research indicating that over 2,700 people in England and Wales may have succumbed to heat-related causes during heatwaves in May and June.
During the May heatwave, approximately 550 deaths were linked to the hot weather, followed by an estimated 2,200 deaths in June. In the South West alone, research suggests 71 deaths occurred in May and 248 in June. Emergency departments have reported being exceptionally busy, with cases of severe sunburn and dehydration-related falls among the elderly. The health and social care system is under strain, prompting calls for the public to use services wisely.
