Message to the members of Adult Care Forums and Community and Faith Groups
- HEALTH TEAM
- Aug 11, 2023
- 3 min read
Dear members of Adult Care Forums and Community and Faith Groups
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a Yellow Alert under the heat-health alert system for the South East, which covers Reading Borough.
The alert is in effect from between 10th August 2023 at 12:00 and 12th August 2023 at 09:00.
As published on UKHSA and Met Office’s dashboard, this means that minor impacts are probable across the health and social care sector, including: increased use of healthcare services by the vulnerable population; increase in risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm.
Many of the harms linked to heat exposure are preventable if a few simple actions are taken:
Ensure that heatwave plans are in place - see below for the most vulnerable populations that require support
Ensure your colleagues are aware of the actions they will take – for example monitoring temperatures, creating cool spaces, ensuring availability of water and other stocked items - see below for action cards and other guidance and resources
Promote awareness of how to beat the heat for themselves, their homes and settings, and those around them
Cascade information on how to reduce risks through your networks
older people aged 65 years and over
babies and young children aged 5 years and under
people with underlying health conditions particularly heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, or mobility problems
people on certain medications
people with serious mental health problems
people who are already ill and dehydrated (for example from diarrhoea and vomiting)
people who experience alcohol or drug dependence
people who are physically active and spend a lot of time outside such as runners, cyclists and walkers
people who work in jobs that require manual labour or extensive time outside
people experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as sofa surfers or living in hostels
people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves
Resources
Beat the Heat: advice for everyone
General guidance on staying safe in hot weather
Keep cool at home checklist
Beat the Heat Poster
Practical guidance on supporting vulnerable people in hot weather
For social care managers, staff, and carers
For healthcare professionals
People homeless and sleeping rough
For teachers and professionals
Action cards summarising suggested actions at different alert levels
For the voluntary and community sector
For commissioners
For providers
Event organisers
Planning events and mass gatherings
Guidance on running events safely
Health advice at festivals
NHS advice
Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Keeping your baby safe in the sun
Sun safety
Cancer Research UK - Sun, UV and cancer
NHS - Sunscreen and sun safety
NHS - How to get vitamin D from sunlight
Water safety
Royal Life Saving Society UK - Water safety advice
Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Water safety advice
Child Accident Prevention Trust - Drowning
Frimley Health and Care - Video on family water safety
Environment Agency and Public Health England – Open water swimming
Window safety
Child Accident Prevention Trust - Falls from Open Windows
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - Window restrictors
Health and Safety Executive - Risk of falling from windows
Weather Ready
Met Office - Thinking ahead and preparing for what the weather may bring
Where to get help
Pharmacists – for treatment advice and minor ailments
NHS 111 – for urgent medical problems or if you are not sure what to do
Your GP – book an appointment or use their online services
Minor injury units or Urgent Treatment Centres – for injuries or illnesses that are urgent but not life threatening
Call 999 or visit A&E – for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies
Data and forecasts
UKHSA Weather Health Alerting System
Met Office Weather Forecasts
Defra - UV Index Graphs
Defra - UK-AIR website – air pollution can become worse during periods of hot weather and affect those with heart and/or lung problems
Kind regards
Nina Crispin
Information & Engagement Officer
Public Health and Wellbeing Team
Directorate of Community & Adult Social Care Services
Reading Borough Council
Level 2, Civic Offices,
Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
T: 07811 026070
Working days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
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