Yellow weather alert: Prepare for hot weather and storms this afternoon

July 20, 2022

Colleagues are advised that the Met Office has now issued a yellow warning of hot weather and thunderstorms from this afternoon (1pm) affecting the West Midlands up until the late evening (9pm) of tonight (Wednesday 20 July).

Factors which increase an individual’s risk during hot weather include:

• Chronic and severe illness, including heart conditions, diabetes, respiratory or renal insufficiency, Parkinson’s disease or severe mental illness.
• Medications that potentially affect renal function, the body’s ability to sweat, thermoregulation or electrolyte balance can make this group more vulnerable to the effects of heat
• Inability to adapt behaviour to keep cool: having Alzheimer’s, a disability, being bed bound, babies and the very young

Actions to be taken include the following:

• Minimise heat increase by drawing blinds or curtains
• Where possible switch off anything connected to the power system and likely to produce heat e.g. computers, printers, additional lighting
• Maintain hydration in patients
• Ensure that discharge planning takes into account the temperature of the accommodation and level of daily care during the heatwave period

You can find further information in the Trust Severe Weather Policy.