The dangers of heat were today highlighted by the Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson with the publication of an updated heatwave plan and new public information leaflets.
This comes as early indications from the Met Office hint at a warmer than average July and August this summer. The leaflets set out the precautionary measures that everyone can take to protect their own health and the comprehensive contingency plan ensures that health professionals and those caring for vulnerable older people know what action to take both in advance, and in the event, of a major heatwave
Although severe heatwaves are uncommon in England, the experience across Northwest Europe in 2003 is a reminder that heat can be fatal. The number of people who died directly because of the heat was 27,000 in Europe as a whole. Within England figures released earlier this year there were 2,000 excess deaths - 85% of which were amongst people aged 75 and over.
Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said:
"This second heatwave plan, updated from last year, will help ensure that the organisations who are involved in providing health and social care services know what actions to take both now, and if a heatwave arrives. As the experience in 2003 demonstrated, it is particularly important that for those over 75, especially those who live alone or in residential homes, the necessary precautions are taken to avoid serious harm through heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
"Timely preventive measure can reduce excess deaths. The leaflet designed to provide the public with common sense precautions will help people to enjoy the weather whilst protecting themselves from the dangerous, and potentially fatal, effects of these temperatures."