Royal Devon declares critical incident amid extreme heatwave
The Royal Devon Trust is among those implementing contingency plans to ensure that patients continue receiving safe and effective care
Rising temperatures are taking a toll on NHS services across England, with reports of failing radiotherapy machines, MRI scanners, and critical IT systems.
Cooling units serving entire hospitals are also breaking down.
These infrastructure issues have been compounded by a surge in admissions and increased activity at A&E departments, leading to severe overcrowding.
Several NHS trusts in England have declared critical incidents due to extreme heat, according to doctors, as they struggle to deliver essential services.
The Royal Devon Trust is among those implementing contingency plans to ensure that patients continue receiving safe and effective care.
A spokesperson for the Trust said: "The Royal Devon has declared a critical incident due to the widespread nature of impacts the extreme heat and humidity is having on our ability to deliver services. The Trust has implemented contingency plans to ensure we can continue to provide essential services safely to our patients."
In response to the ongoing heatwave, NHS England has activated hot weather plans aimed at safeguarding staff and patient welfare.
These include temperature management in clinical areas, support for hydration, and prioritisation of care for higher-risk groups.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended red heat-health alerts until 11pm on Friday, 26th June.
Regions affected by the red alert include the South West, South East, London, East of England, West Midlands, and East Midlands, while all other areas remain under an amber alert.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, urged the public and health services to prioritise safety during the heatwave:
"Very hot weather is forecast across large parts of England in the coming days and we are urging health and social care services across the country to ensure they are prepared. It is vitally important that people understand the risk posed by high temperatures like these, and take steps to keep themselves and their friends, families and neighbours safe."
Guidance from the UKHSA recommends staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight during peak UV hours, and ensuring homes remain cool, among other tips for coping with extreme heat.
For further advice on managing heat-related risks and keeping vulnerable groups safe, visit the UKHSA website.