Heat Health warning upgraded for Sunderland and South Shields with deaths now "likely"
Temperatures are expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius
A new upgraded Heat Health Alert has been issued for the region including Sunderland and South Shields, with the risk to health now described as significant and with a rise in deaths “likely”.
A Yellow Heat Health Alert was issued yesterday, but this afternoon (August 11) the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded the warning to amber.
The warning is in place until 9pm on Friday August 14.
A UKHSA spokesperson said: “Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups.
“There is likely to be an increase in demand for health services due to the high temperatures, including water related incidents and risks from cold water shock and drowning.
“Indoor environments may also overheat, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings.
“Internal temperatures in care settings may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment with the heat also affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services.”
The alert has been increased to amber as the Met Office is forecasting temperatures across Wearside and South Tyneside to peak on Thursday at a scorching 32 degrees Celsius.
The UKHSA spokesperson also warned of a likely increased demand on all health and social care services.
They added: “The heat is likely to lead to issues managing medicines and staffing issues due to external factors impacting on transport. Other sectors outside of Health and Care services are also likely to begin to be impacted.”