UK heatwave piles further pressure on stretched NHS services

NHS leaders have urged the government to provide resources to improve buildings and infrastructure after many trusts were forced to cancel appointments and change their working patterns in response to the heatwave that has gripped the UK this week.NHS Providers, the organisation which represents trusts, said planned surgeries had been cancelled, clinical activities including community and mental health services were moved virtually, industrial cooling units and mounted fans were installed in IT server rooms, and staff wore cooler scrubs while some worked from home.The organisation added that discharge teams had to ensure that patients and their carers, community hospitals, and care homes had enough water before being discharged, and that patients spent less time in cars or ambulances to keep them safe in the heat.In a statement issued on 19 July, Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy and interim deputy chief executive at NHS Providers, said that while additional…
Read Original Article: UK heatwave piles further pressure on stretched NHS services »