The heat-health warning that has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the West Midlands (including Herefordshire) has been upgraded to Amber.
The warning comes as temperatures are set to rise to 34c in parts of Herefordshire and the Midlands today.
From the UK Health Security Agency:
Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including:
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)
Risk Matrix
Source – https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/heat/west-midlands
