Health and weather experts warn that ‘significant impacts are possible across the health and social care services due to the high temperatures’
A yellow heat warning has been issued for the North East(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
A five-day heat health warning has been issued for the North East as weather forecasters predicted heatwave temperatures over the Bank Holiday weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has sent out the alert, warning that vulnerable people may be at increased risk from the hot weather.
An amber heat-health alert is running for the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East, and London regions. In the North East, a yellow alert is in place from 2pm on Friday, May 22, to 5pm on Wednesday, May 27.
A yellow alert is also in effect for the North West, South West, and Yorkshire and the Humber regions, and will be in place for the same period. The Met Office forecast says temperatures in the North East will reach around 25C over the coming days. This comes as weather maps showed which North East areas will be the hottest on Bank Holiday Monday, as reported by ChronicleLive.
Under UKHSA and the Met Office’s Weather-Health alerting system, a yellow heat health alert means that “significant impacts are possible across the health and social care services due to the high temperatures”. These can include:
a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groupsa likely increase in demand for health servicesinternal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessmentthe heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver servicesindoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
A Met Office weather map showing the forecast for 4pm on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25(Image: Met Office)
Dr Anya Gopfert, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, said: “We know that even moderate heat can lead to serious health problems, especially for older people and those with certain health conditions, so it’s important that everyone takes simple precautions while enjoying the warm weather over the coming days. If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.”
There are simple steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather, such as:
keeping your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sunif you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing, such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularlykeeping out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pmif you are going to do a physical activity (for example, exercising or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or eveningknowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has themWho is vulnerable in hot weather?
According to the NHS, the most vulnerable groups are older people, especially women over the age of 75, or those who live alone or in a care home. People with long-term illnesses such as heart or lung conditions, diabetes, Parkinson’s and some mental health conditions are at a higher risk, as well as patients on multiple medicines. Babies and very young children will also find it hard to keep cool, along with people dependent on alcohol or drugs or people with Alzheimer’s disease.
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