Ministers are preparing for rising demand from the NHS and other essential services ahead of a heat wave that could trigger record temperatures in Britain.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning of extreme heat in much of England and Wales from Sunday to Tuesday, with temperatures expected to exceed 35 ºC at its peak in the southern, central and southern areas. east of England.
After chairing a meeting of the Cobra Emergency Civilian Contingency Committee in Whitehall, Kit Malthouse, Minister of the Cabinet Office, admitted that health services could be under greater pressure and warned that temperatures could reach at 40ºC.
“The key we can do is prepare government services for what may be an increase in demand, especially the health service and other places, but also, critically, communicate that the first line of defense is actually a change of individual behavior, ”he said. The World at One on BBC Radio 4.
“People have to be careful, do all the things they would do when it’s very hot: wear a hat, drink water, but also the most vulnerable groups (the elderly, those with cardiovascular problems and the very young) outside for them and take care of yourself “.
He urged citizens to be alert to vulnerable people, to control neighbors and to take precautions.
“We’re asking people if they have a big neighbor, especially if they live alone, it would be a neighborhood thing to check them out and make sure they take care of themselves and have access to water,” he said.
“The current forecast is that we will be between the mid and high 30s, but there is a lower chance that we can get over it and possibly reach 40ºC, which would be an all-time record.”
Age UK said extreme heat could be especially difficult for older people with existing health problems, especially those affecting the heart or lungs.
Number 10 said there were “tried and tested” plans in the NHS to increase staffing and that there were contingency measures in place or about to be enacted. “There have already been some official-level coordination meetings across the government,” Boris Johnson’s spokesman said.
“This is a progression of this to ensure that as we get into what are expected to be the hottest days, the necessary mitigations and actions are underway or being implemented.
“Much of this is to make sure the public is aware of the advice available, especially those with vulnerable young children or relatives.”
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It came when new figures showed that staff absences at NHS hospitals in England were at their highest level for almost three months amid rising Covid infections.
An average of 22,918 hospital staff in England were out of work every day during the week through July 6, 30% more than the previous week, either because they were isolated or sick with Covid-19.