The NHS must adopt annual heatwave preparedness plans similar to winter strategies, UK Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has urged. The call follows a surge in A&E visits linked to extreme heat, equipment failures in hospitals, and testimonies from ambulance workers describing dangerous working conditions. With the UK already matching its record for 30°C days and heat related deaths nearly doubling this year, experts warn 2026 could see the highest heat associated fatalities on record.
The UK Health Secretary has demanded the NHS implement annual heatwave preparedness plans after hospitals reported a sharp rise in emergency admissions and equipment failures during this summer's extreme temperatures.
Yvette Cooper told LBC Radio that A&E departments were experiencing patient surges typically seen only during winter. She highlighted the need for better prevention measures to protect elderly and vulnerable populations, as well as improved hospital discharge processes to manage capacity.
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