UK heat-health alert for Portsmouth upgraded to amber with 'significant impacts' likely
High temperatures “likely” to lead to rise in deaths of vulnerable people
A heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency has been upgraded from yellow to amber with high temperatures set “significantly impact” health and social care services in the coming days.
The amber alert comes in effect from 2pm today (Friday, May 22) and will last until 5pm on Wednesday, May 27. The alert has been issued for the South East including Portsmouth and much of Hampshire.
In Portsmouth temperatures are expected to range between 27 degrees and 30 degrees between Friday and Wednesday.
A UKHSA spokesperson said: “While hot weather may be welcome for some, it can still have a serious impact on people’s health and wellbeing. Early warnings help those in health and social care, as well as anyone supporting more vulnerable individuals, such as older adults and young children, to prepare and take appropriate action.”
The alert has been upgraded all due to the forecasted high temperatures ‘likely’ to have a ‘significant impact’ on health and social care services throughout the region. These impacts include:
- a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups
- likely increased demand on all health and social care services
- internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment
- the heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services
- indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
- issues managing medicines
- staffing issues due to external factors (for example, affecting transport)
- increased demand for power exceeding capacity
- other sectors starting to observe impacts (for example, travel delays)
Full details of the alert can be found at https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/heat/south-east