Data disclosed by 33 NHS trusts shows hospital wards in England recorded temperatures of almost 42C this summer, well above the 28C safe limit set by NHS England, leading to cancelled surgeries and disruption to patient care.
Key facts
- Hospitals in England recorded temperatures of almost 42C this summer, according to the Guardian.
- The Northern Care Alliance NHS foundation trust recorded 41.8C during last month's heatwave — 14C above the recommended safe maximum.
- NHS England sets a 28C safe temperature limit for wards.
- Surgeries were cancelled after operating theatre cooling units stopped working in the heat.
- Ambulance trusts relaxed dress codes and hospitals offered frail patients early or late appointments to cope.
Hospitals in England recorded temperatures of almost 42C this summer, with surgeries being cancelled because operating theatres’ cooling units stopped working in the intense heat, according to the Guardian. Figures disclosed by 33 NHS trusts show that temperatures on wards during July rose above the 28C limit set by NHS England.
The Northern Care Alliance NHS foundation trust, which runs four hospitals in Greater Manchester, recorded a temperature of 41.8C during last month’s heatwave. That reading was 14C above the recommended safe maximum, the data shows.
The heat has disrupted planned care in several ways. Some surgeries were cancelled after the cooling units in operating theatres failed in the high temperatures. In other cases, patients themselves cancelled their operations because it was too hot for them to travel to hospital.
To help frail elderly patients attend, hospitals and GP surgeries have been offering appointments at the start and end of the day, when temperatures are lower and travel is easier. The adjustments are intended to reduce the strain on vulnerable people during periods of extreme heat.
Ambulance services have also faced difficulties. Crews have struggled to keep some medications at the correct temperature because it gets so hot in the back of their vehicles. In response, NHS ambulance trusts have relaxed their usual dress code rules, allowing crews to wear shorts rather than trousers to stay cooler.
The disclosures highlight how sustained high temperatures are affecting front-line healthcare, from ward conditions to the transport and storage of medicines, and the practical steps trusts are taking to keep patients and staff safe.
Why it matters
Extreme heat is increasingly disrupting healthcare in England, from unsafe ward temperatures to cancelled operations and compromised medicine storage. As heatwaves become more frequent, the ability of hospitals to maintain safe conditions raises concerns for patients, particularly the frail and elderly.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature limit does NHS England set for hospital wards?
NHS England sets a safe maximum temperature of 28C for wards, according to figures disclosed by 33 NHS trusts.
How hot did hospital wards get this summer?
Hospitals in England recorded temperatures of almost 42C, with the Northern Care Alliance NHS foundation trust recording 41.8C — 14C above the recommended safe maximum.
How are NHS services adapting to the heat?
Hospitals and GP surgeries are offering frail elderly patients appointments at the start and end of the day, while ambulance trusts have relaxed dress codes so crews can wear shorts to stay cooler.