NHS doctor's urgent 'four hour' Met Office heat red alert rule

NHS doctor's urgent 'four hour' Met Office heat red alert rule Appearing on BBC Breakfast health expert advised people not to go out in one period of the day An NHS doctors has told people about a 4-hour rule they need to abide by with the country in the grip of a ‘red alert’ heatwave. Temperatures could hit 40C on Wednesday and Thursday in some parts of England and Wales as a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe has brought extreme conditions across the continent. A red Met Office weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham came into force at 9am on Wednesday, and is due to last until 9pm on Thursday. During the peak of the heatwave on these two days, the temperature could come close to the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C, which was measured in Lincolnshire in July 2022. A combination of extreme heat and humidity could have an impact on public health, infrastructure, power and water supplies, the Met Office said, and could cause heat-related issues for a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply. Speaking on BBC Breakfast today NHS doctor Mohit Mandiratta said people should not be going out between 11am - 3pm if they could help it. He said: “So, it is about doing all the simple things. Wear loose fitting cotton clothing, wide-brimmed hats, wear sunscreen, make sure it’s in date, make sure it’s at least factor 30. Get yourself some sports drinks if you can. They mimic what circulates in our system. So, are better for hydrating. "We should be having six to eight cups or mugs of drinks a day. More when it’s warmer. So, more when we’re sweating, more it’s about not going out in the peak heat. 11 to 3 p.m. is when we shouldn’t go out. And again, checking on those vulnerable people. So, if you know you’ve got neighbours, family members who really shouldn’t be going out, who might be at risk, check in on them.” Speaking about the NHS pressure he said: “We know that health settings always get busier. That red warning is really important because that’s a risk to life as well as infrastructure. So obviously we’ve got the very old, the very young, those with chronic long-term health conditions will particularly be vulnerable. But actually everybody can be affected by this. “Our buildings are not made for this sort of weather with double glazing and radiators and that kind of thing. So it is just about staying safe and doing the main things you need to avoid getting unwell, not going out in the peak heat, keeping yourself hydrated, keeping yourself cool, um all of those things. “And we know because of that red weather warning It’s not just those who are vulnerable. Those who are consider themselves healthy could be at risk as well.” Red heat health alerts have also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East of England, East Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the West Midlands, and amber heat health alerts for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber. These alerts are in place from 1am on Wednesday to 11pm on Thursday, and mean “adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population”. On Tuesday the highest temperature logged was 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey, according to the Met Office. Extreme temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday are expected to cause problems for parents as schools shut early or close to protect pupils amid the heat. Almost 100 schools in Somerset will be fully closed on both days, according to Somerset Council. About 100 will be at least partially closed in Buckinghamshire, along with 86 schools in Gloucestershire, according to council data. Children at some schools have been told they can wear PE kit rather than full school uniform, which can involve long trousers and blazers. Transport bosses have urged people to avoid travelling on Wednesday and Thursday and are warning those that do to “prepare for a disrupted journey”. National Rail warned of disruption to Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink services until Friday. Avanti West Coast said it planned to run fewer services than usual between Tuesday and Thursday, and there is “a risk of further disruption”. Chiltern Railways said it had axed more than half its services until Friday “to ensure the safe operation of the railway”. Eurostar has cancelled four trains planned to run between London and Paris on Wednesday and Thursday “due to expected adverse weather”. The AA said its overall workload was up 6% above planned levels on Tuesday, “reflecting increased demand”. A spokesperson said: “As temperatures remain high, drivers should not underestimate the strain that hot weather can place on vehicles, particularly older cars and those that have not been serviced recently. “We would encourage drivers to check tyre pressures, coolant and oil levels before setting off and to watch for signs of overheating. We also advise occupants to use caution when entering a vehicle in hot weather, as seats, trim and other interior surfaces can quickly reach temperatures that may cause discomfort or minor burns. “Anyone travelling during the heat should carry plenty of water, keep a mobile phone charged, and ensure they have enough fuel or battery charge in case they encounter delays or become more reliant on air-conditioning than usual, as this can increase fuel or EV charge consumption. “Preparing for the unexpected can make a significant difference if a breakdown occurs in extreme temperatures.” [Image text:] LIVE HALESOWEN