The UKSHA issues an urgent public health message to health and care providers during heatwave
Care home leaders must take immediate action to protect staff from the increased risk of heat stress when wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the current red and amber heat-health-alert periods.
The new urgent public health message to health and care providers from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) follows the issuing of a Red Heat Health Alert and a Met Office extreme heat warning across parts of England, set to continue until late tomorrow night (Friday 26th June).
The alert highlights that PPE can prevent the body from cooling effectively, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion and potentially life‑threatening heat stroke.
Providers are advised to prioritise controlling temperatures within care environments, including improving ventilation and reducing sources of heat where possible. Alongside environmental measures, employers are urged to support staff to adapt behaviours, such as increasing hydration and taking more frequent breaks.
It warns providers to allow for more frequent shift changes and a higher demand for PPE due to more regular changes of staff to cope in temperatures reaching the mid-late 30 degrees in some areas.
The guidance calls on managers to formally assess overheating risks and ensure robust communication systems so frontline teams receive timely heat-health alerts. It adds that maintaining sufficient PPE stock levels and considering additional staffing to accommodate more rest breaks are also recommended
The update signposts providers to the Adverse Weather and Health Plan and wider heat-health alert system, which set out how preparation and rapid response are critical to maintaining safe staffing and continuity of care during periods of extreme heat.
