Early indications show this summer is set to be a scorcher. So much so that the Department of Health has issued warning booklets to advise how best to deal with periods of extremely hot weather.
Obviously in the run up to winter, concern is raised over the welfare of the young and elderly and more effort is spent ensuring they will survive the cold spells with increased flu vaccines etc but in this country especially, it seems strange to think of summer as being a difficult season for health service.
However, experts have warned that thousands of elderly people could die from the effects of heat during what is forecast to be a sweltering summer. About 2,000 died when temperatures soared for 10 consecutive days in some parts of the country in 2003, reaching 100F (38C) in southern England.
It is therefore important for the health service to identify needs and resources before the warm weather sets in by ensuring all data is of a high quality so that if large number of new patients are admitted, all clinicians and managers are fully prepared.
