Heat-health alert issued as second heatwave grips southern England

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a fresh heat-health alert covering London, the South East, the East of England and the East Midlands, as a second spell of hot weather builds across southern England. The alert spans the back half of this week into the weekend, and follows the country's first heatwave of the year in late spring, which coincided with record pressure on emergency departments.

Heat-health alerts are part of a system run jointly by the UKHSA and the Met Office to warn health and social-care services, and the public, when temperatures are likely to affect people's wellbeing. Officials are urging people to take simple precautions, particularly to look out for older relatives, neighbours and anyone with a long-term health condition.

This article is general information on staying safe in hot weather and is not medical advice. Anyone who becomes seriously unwell in the heat should seek urgent medical help.

What the alert means

The alert system uses colour coding to signal the expected level of impact. A yellow alert indicates that hot conditions may affect vulnerable people, while an amber alert warns that effects are likely to be felt across the whole health service and that there is increased risk to the wider population, not just to those who are frail or unwell. The level can vary by region and is updated as forecasts change.

Health leaders are particularly concerned because hot weather places extra strain on services that are already stretched. Earlier in the spring, A&E recorded its busiest month ever as a heatwave drove up demand, underlining how directly weather can translate into pressure on hospitals.

“Even moderate heat can lead to serious health problems, especially for older people and those with certain health conditions, so it pays to plan ahead rather than wait until you feel unwell.”

— a clinician in public health

Who is most at risk

Heat does not affect everyone equally. Some groups are markedly more vulnerable to its effects, and the alerts are designed in part to prompt extra care for them. Recognising who is at greatest risk allows families, carers and services to focus attention where it matters most.

• People aged over 65, especially those living alone
• Babies and very young children
• People with heart or lung conditions, diabetes or kidney problems
• Those taking certain medicines that affect the body's response to heat
• People who are physically active or working outdoors in the heat

For these groups, even temperatures that feel pleasant to others can pose a genuine risk, which is why officials emphasise checking in on vulnerable people during hot spells.

How to stay safe

The advice from health officials during hot weather is consistent and practical. Keeping homes cool by closing curtains on sun-facing windows, staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, drinking water regularly and avoiding excess alcohol all help the body cope. Checking on those who may struggle, and knowing the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, can make a real difference.

Heat exhaustion can cause symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, headache, feeling sick and heavy sweating, and usually improves with rest, cooling down and fluids. Heatstroke is a medical emergency, signalled by symptoms such as confusion, a very high temperature, hot dry skin or a loss of consciousness, and requires calling for emergency help immediately.

Background

The UK has experienced a run of hotter summers in recent years, and scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is making extreme heat more frequent and intense. The weather-health alert system was strengthened to give services advance notice so they can prepare, and to help the public understand when conditions move from merely warm to potentially harmful. Heat is now recognised as a serious seasonal public-health issue rather than simply a matter of comfort.

What happens next

The alert will be reviewed and updated as the forecast develops, and may be extended, raised or lifted depending on how the hot spell evolves. In the meantime, officials are encouraging people to follow the standard hot-weather advice, keep an eye on vulnerable friends and family, and use NHS services sensibly so that emergency care remains available for those who need it most.