UK nurses report collapses as extreme heat strains hospitals
The Royal College of Nursing says staff have fainted or become ill in overheated workplaces as England faces another amber heat warning and temperatures forecast around 36C.
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- The Royal College of Nursing says staff have fainted or become ill in overheated workplaces as England faces another amber heat warning and temperatures forecast around 36C.
Nurses in England have collapsed or suffered dizziness and nausea during shifts as extreme heat strains hospitals and care settings, the Royal College of Nursing said on August 12, 2026.
The union called for urgent investment in air conditioning, better ventilation and heat-appropriate uniforms. One nurse working in a critical-care unit in southwest England said the ward had exceeded 30C, while staff also faced the challenge of protecting vulnerable patients and keeping medicines cool.
The warning came before another amber heat alert was due to take effect on August 13 across large parts of England, with temperatures forecast to reach about 36C or higher. Rail operators warned of disruption, three-quarters of England was officially in drought, and firefighters continued tackling a blaze in Hampshire’s New Forest.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the government was concentrating on immediate incidents after a Cobra emergency meeting. Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said the National Health Service must plan for summer pressures in the same way it plans for winter, including making buildings more resilient to extreme heat.
The episode adds to pressure for broader climate adaptation. The UK’s climate adaptation watchdog has warned that the country is lagging in preparations for changing conditions, while unions representing nurses and firefighters say workplaces and emergency services need more resources.
