The current unprecedented heatwave in Britain is having
unforeseen consequences – especially for the NHS.
The extreme heat (up to 40C) is causing computers and other
machines to collapse and making the existing NHS crisis a whole lot worse.
The heat is knocking out a wide range of equipment - MRI
scanners, radiotherapy machines, other machines used to treat cancer,
diagnostic facilities, operating theatres, various IT systems, other electrical
equipment.
On top of that health workers are struggling to do their
jobs after several sleep-deprived nights caused by the heat and in some cases
hospitals with broken-down air conditioning.
As a result of the equipment failures, many consultations,
operations and treatment sessions are having to be cancelled.
And this is only June. Presumably there will be equally
extreme heatwaves in July and August.
Fortunately Northern Ireland is not much affected because
temperatures here are much lower than in the rest of the UK – possibly reaching
the upper twenties. So although we’re sweltering we’re not completely wiped out
by the heat.
Jenny and I are glad we’re not living in London any more. It
looks like the temperatures there are pretty unbearable.
PS: Some London
pavements have reached 57C.
Yes, dear Nick, it has been very hot.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is that you type that it was 'unforeseen' yet the government has been aware of climate change for some time now and has not given the NHS any extra money to deal with the obvious extra costs.
I feel for those people who got stuck in traffic on the M25 for 8 hours after a crash - 10 people ended up needing to be taken to hospital.
Sx
Ms Scarlet: I meant this particular heat wave was unforeseen, especially since we're still in June. I'm sure the politicians are well aware of the increasing global temperature and the need to act. Yes, stuck on the M25 for eight scorching hours, that doesn't bear thinking about.
DeleteThe earth is heating up faster now. We will be in the mid 90s F/36 C all of the coming week. I am shocked to read this about hospitals and medical staff.
ReplyDeleteSandra: There's been very little coverage of failing IT and computer systems, even though the consequences are awful.
DeleteIt's crazy that it is so hot there!
ReplyDeleteColette: Luckily we left London just before the heat wave took effect.
DeleteIt's hotter sooner here in Minnesota, too. We plan to run the A/C during the night starting tonight since our building holds too much heat now that the nights don't cool down. I actually woke up sweating this morning. At least, our A/C works, though. I would not like to need medical care in London right now. Not that I ever like to need medical care anywhere. :)
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: British buildings are notoriously lacking in air conditioning. Even most tube trains lack air conditioning and can easily reach temperatures of over 100F (38C). Yes, I also hope I don't need any medical treatment right now!
DeleteIt's around that hot here in Las Vegas too but we have air conditioning and I know most places there either don't or they are breaking down. It's quite sad to hear this. I know temps that high are hard to deal with.
ReplyDeleteMary: Historically British buildings haven't needed air conditioning because temperatures weren't that high. The sudden mega heat wave has caught people totally unprepared.
DeleteI have read about and heard from a friend in the UK about the heat wave but didn't know about the effect on medical equipment, which is really unfortunate. When we lived in VA years ago, it wasn't uncommon to have 90+ (F) days in the summer. Now, in New England we will be having them this week.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: I gather a lot of the IT in UK hospitals is very old and needs updating to handle extreme heat waves. Other organisations didn't seem to be so badly affected.
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