UK heatwave sees hospitals declare 'critical incidents' as sweltering wards hit 35C

UK heatwave sees hospitals declare 'critical incidents' as sweltering wards hit 35C Heatwave causes hospitals to declare critical incidents including Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS trust Hospitals are declaring critical incidents due to the heatwave as doctors report outdated ward buildings are seeing temperatures up to 35C. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is warning of the danger to elderly patients as testing labs fail while some machines including those used to treat cancer stop working. Most of the country is seeing temperatures in the low to mid 30s Celsius which is causing transport disruption and seeing primary schools close early. The June temperature record for the UK could be broken for the second day in a row as temperatures soar again on Thursday, potentially reaching 37 or 38C. Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) both declared “critical incidents”. There are currently no working MRI scanners at the Norfolk trust where at least 254 outpatient appointments have been cancelled. Cooling units at the Queen Alexandra Hospital also failed. Dr Hilary Williams, RCP clinical vice-president, said: "There are reports of older patients arriving at hospital having collapsed or with dehydration. “Patients are facing overcrowding, and there are issues with machines, laboratories and kidney dialysis - all fundamental to providing safe patient care. "The impact of heatwaves on staff cannot be overstated. There is a sense of foreboding when we see the weather forecast, because we know what is to come, and there is very little staff can do.” The RCP collated anonymous accounts from doctors who say “old Victorian hospitals” are "unfit to cope" with the heat. A report last year warned that 90% of NHS buildings aren’t equipped to deal with long periods of extreme heat. East Surrey Hospital in Redhill was also forced to reschedule some appointments yesterday and also declared a critical incident, which has since been stood down. University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust warned that some of its buildings don’t have air con and some patients might have to attend virtually. The Met Office red extreme heat warning remains for the south Midlands, south-east Wales and southern England until midnight on Thursday. Amber extreme warnings - the second highest level - will still be in place for parts of England until Saturday. Central southern England, the Midlands, east and north-east Wales will see hotter temperatures on Thursday than Wednesday and could beat the June record set just yesterday in Gosport. The UK Health Security Agency issued only its second ever heat-health red alert, indicating even healthy people are at risk, for six regions lasting until 11pm on Thursday. Hospitals are struggling with increased demand particularly as the elderly infirm struggle with heat exhaustion. Dr Williams added: "It is not as simple as buying fans, which can present a fire risk when used alongside oxygen, and may increase the spread of infection. The NHS is already facing enormous pressure from rising demand and workforce shortages. Coupled with an ageing estate, these challenges intensify during extreme weather. "As clinicians, there are immediate steps we can take to protect patients, such as reviewing medications that affect hydration and ensuring they are stored appropriately. "But this must be matched by system-level change - strengthening infrastructure and embedding resilience into NHS reform. Buildings must be upgraded to withstand extreme heat and other climate risks. Hospitals should be places of safety, not settings where extreme heat puts patients and staff at risk."