The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) has welcomed an acknowledgement of the impact of extreme heat on NHS staff and patients from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
However, DAUK’s sustainability lead Dr Matt Lee warned the Government must act urgently to prevent avoidable harm during future heatwaves.
DHSC was responding to DAUK’s survey of more than 1,100 doctors and healthcare workers during June’s record-breaking heatwave.
The survey found reports of dangerously high temperatures, staff being ill at work, and disruption to patient care.
Heatwave survey
More than four out of five respondents (83.3%) described their workplace as very hot or dangerously hot, while 86.9% said they or colleagues had felt unwell because of the heat.
Almost 70% said the heat had affected patient safety, and 89.8% supported the introduction of a legal maximum safe working temperature for healthcare facilities.
DAUK wrote to the Health Secretary to highlight the results.
It also called for a legal maximum safe working temperature for hospitals and GP surgeries as well as investment in cooling systems and energy efficiency, among other asks.
DHSC response
DHSC has now sent its response, which is available to read here.
Dr Lee said: “We are grateful to DHSC for their response and for recognising the impacts of heatwaves on NHS staff and patients.
“It is pleasing to hear the Health and Safety Executive is considering a consultation later this year which would include reviewing regulations on workplace temperatures.
“Should this be a public consultation, we intend to respond to support the implementation of maximum working temperatures in healthcare settings.
“We also urge cross-parliamentary support for Hannah Spencer MP’s Bill on maximum workplace temperatures at it’s second reading on 16 October.
Unbearable working conditions
“However, this response from DHSC lacks the urgency required to prevent healthcare professionals and patients from facing the unbearable, horrific and inhumane working conditions that our survey respondents described.
“We have no reason to believe next summer will be any cooler, and unless urgent action is taken over the coming months, staff and patients will come to harm that could, and should have been prevented.
“DAUK remains committed to advocating for an NHS that is safe for its staff and patients in all weathers.
“We continue to call for a meeting with the UK Government to discuss the heatwave experiences shared with us, and strongly encourage an accelerated program of decarbonisation and climate adaptation to work towards a safe and liveable future for us all.”
DAUK committee members are all volunteers and campaign on issues facing frontline doctors in their own time. Please support our work by joining DAUK or donating to our GoFundMe.