Heatwave Level 3 Alert – Actions to be taken and information to be cascaded

We are currently at Heatwave Alert Level 3.  Please see below Public Health England’s actions to be considered: There are links to related documents at the foot of this post

Actions for Level 3 Heat Health Watch Alert  – PHE

Commissioners of health and social care (all settings) and local authority Directors of Public Health

  • media alerts about keeping cool
  • support organisations to reduce unnecessary travel
  • review safety of public events
  • mobilise community and voluntary support

Providers – health and social care staff in all settings (community, hospitals and care homes)

Professional staff (all settings):

  • visit/phone high-risk people
  • reconfirm key public health messages to clients
  • advise carers to contact NHS111 if concerns re health

Care homes and hospitals:

  • activate plans to maintain business continuity – including a possible surge in demand
  • check indoor temperatures are recorded regularly during the hottest periods for all areas where patients reside
  • ensure staff can help and advise clients including access to cool rooms, close monitoring of vulnerable individuals, reducing internal temperatures through shading, turning off unnecessary lights/equipment, cooling building at night, ensuring discharge planning takes home temperatures and support into account

Community and voluntary sector and individuals

Community groups:

  • activate community emergency plan
  • check those you know are at risk

Individuals:

  • follow key public health messages
  • check those you know are at risk

 

PHE Advice to Public

  • look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions
  • close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
  • drink plenty of water, sugary, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can make you more dehydrated
  • open windows when it feels cooler outside and it’s safe to do so
  • never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
  • try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm
  • if you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat
  • avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
  • wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes

Useful links:

 Link to NHS / Public Health England Heatwave Planning website 2018:- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england

Link to Beat the Heat Leaflet:- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/615548/Beat_the_heat_leaflet_2017.pdf

Link to Met Office 5 Day Forecast for London:-

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcpvj0v07?tab=fiveDay

NHS / PHE Advice for Health and Social Care Professionals:- https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310605/10089-2902329-TSO-Heatwave-Advice_for_Health_Professionals_ACCESSIBLE.pdf

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