Help keep yourself and others safe as warm weather returns

People across Derby & Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to take simple steps to stay well as temperatures are forecast to rise steadily throughout the week.

UKHSA have issued an Amber Heat Health Alert for the East Midlands from 9am on 8 July to 9pm on Sunday 12 July. This means that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures.

The hot weather comes just a couple of weeks after record-breaking temperatures placed significant pressure on local NHS services. During the previous heatwave, urgent and emergency care services experienced exceptionally high demand, with many people becoming unwell as a result of the hot weather, dehydration and worsening of existing health conditions.

Dr Dave Briggs, Executive Director of Outcomes (Medical) for the Cluster of Derby & Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Boards, said: “Taking a few minutes to check on an elderly neighbour, a relative living alone or someone with an existing health condition could help them stay safe and avoid becoming seriously unwell.

“The heatwave two weeks ago contributed to increased pressure on our local hospitals, so we hope that people can stay safe by planning ahead, looking after themselves and supporting those around them. This will help us to focus our services on those who need them most.

“People with other health conditions can also help by using pharmacies, GPs and urgent treatment centres depending on their need. Anyone who isn’t sure which service to use can visit 111 online or phone 111.”

Staying safe in the sun

Whilst exposure to the hot weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly vulnerable. It’s important to take some essential steps to avoid becoming unwell through conditions such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

• Wear the right clothing, staying in the shade and using suncream.
• Use a sunscreen with a 5* UVA and at least an SPF 30. Re-apply every two hours, or more often if you have been swimming or exercising. For more information visit Sunscreen and sun safety – NHS
• Drink plenty of water. Cover up with a hat and long sleeves. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck.
• Wear UV blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Sun damage to the skin is most likely between 11am and 3pm between March and October. But sunlight can be strong enough to cause sunburn at other times of the day and year, and sometimes even on cloudy days.

Who’s most at risk

Those most vulnerable during a hot weather are:

• Older people, especially those over 75, living on their own or in care homes.
• People with serious long-term illnesses including heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease.
• Those on multiple medications that may make them more likely to be affected by warm weather. Most medicines should be stored somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
• People who spend a lot of time outside or in warm places including those living in top floor flats or who work outside.
• Those who find it hard to keep cool e.g. babies and children, those with drug or alcohol addictions or with Alzheimer’s disease.

You should also take extra care in the sun if you:

• have pale, white or light brown skin
• have freckles or red or fair hair
• have light coloured eyes
• tend to burn rather than tan
• have many moles
• have skin problems relating to a medical condition
• are only exposed to intense sun occasionally (for example, while on holiday)
• are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense
• have a family history of skin cancer

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke: know the signs

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body overheats and cannot cool down. The condition doesn’t usually require emergency medical attention if you’re able to cool yourself down within 30 minutes. However, if you do not take action to cool yourself down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.

Common symptoms of heat exhaustion are:

• tiredness
• weakness
• feeling faint
• headache
• muscle cramps
• feeling or being sick
• heavy sweating
• intense thirst

Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high.

Common symptoms of heatstroke include:

• confusion
• lack of co-ordination
• fast heartbeat
• fast breathing or shortness of breath
• hot skin that is not sweating
• seizures

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down.

To find out more about symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke visit Heat exhaustion and heatstroke – NHS

How to cool down

If you start to feel the symptoms of heat exhaustion, take steps to cool yourself down including:

• moving to a cooler place e.g. somewhere in the shade or a room with air conditioning, avoid direct sunlight
• remove any extra layers of clothing like a jacket or socks
• drink cool water, a sports or rehydration drink, or eat cold and water rich foods like ice-lollies or watermelon
• apply cool water by spray or sponge to exposed skin, and using cold packs wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck can also help

You should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes. If you are concerned about symptoms, or they are worsening, seek medical advice by visiting NHS 111 online or phoning 111 or in an emergency dial 999.