This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Public Health Programme Manager, Fatima Ndanusa.
Did you know that:
- Temperatures in excess of approximately 25ºC are associated with excess summer deaths?
- Higher temperatures are associated with greater numbers of excess deaths - at 27ºC or over, those with impaired sweating mechanisms find it especially difficult to keep their bodies cool,
- Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of illness and death during periods of prolonged hot weather.
We can help prevent/reduce the adverse health effects of excessive heat by raising public awareness and taking action to support people most at risk; also by triggering action in colleagues/services in contact with people who are most vulnerable to heat and thus help to reduce pressures throughout the health and social care system.
In light of this please could I ask that the attached Public Health England Guidance: staying safe in hot weather is cascaded to relevant colleagues to ensure that if the likelihood of a heatwave increases (Levels 2 and 3), we know what actions are required to support those who are more vulnerable to hot weather?
For additional information on keeping safe in the heat and a simple explanation of the alert levels please visit NHS Choices on summer preparedness.
