Practical heatwave advice for health and social care providers, staff, carers and community partners.
Hot weather can be enjoyable, but when temperatures rise too high, it can quickly become a serious health risk. For health and social care providers, this is a key moment for prevention, planning and early support.
The NHS warns that during heatwaves, more people than usual become seriously ill or die, especially when people are dehydrated, overheated, or already living with heart, breathing or long-term health conditions.
Many people receiving care and support may be less able to keep cool, access fluids, recognise the early signs of heat-related illness, or change their environment without help.
The Health and Social Care Providers Network encourages all providers, staff, carers and volunteers to follow official hot weather guidance, review local heatwave plans and check on people who may be most at risk.
Heatwave risks at a glance
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💧
DehydrationSupport regular cold drinks and check that people can access fluids throughout the day. |
🌡️
OverheatingHeat can worsen existing heart, breathing and long-term health conditions. |
|
🏠
Hot roomsCheck the rooms where vulnerable people spend most time, especially bedrooms and living rooms. |
🚨
Heat illnessWatch for signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and escalate concerns quickly. |
Five practical steps during hot weather
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Identify who is most at risk Older people, young children, people with long-term conditions, people living alone and those with limited mobility may need extra support. |
| 🌤️ |
Keep people cool Encourage people to stay out of direct heat where possible, especially between 11am and 3pm. |
| 💧 |
Support hydration Encourage regular cold drinks and suitable cold foods, and check that people can reach drinks easily. |
| 🏠 |
Check indoor spaces Help people keep rooms cooler by closing curtains, blinds and windows during the hottest part of the day where appropriate. |
| 🚨 |
Escalate concerns Act quickly if someone becomes unwell, confused, very hot, faint, dizzy or unusually tired. |
Why heatwaves matter for health and care
The main health risks during hot weather include dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heat can also make existing heart and breathing problems worse.
The wider evidence shows that heat is not only a seasonal comfort issue; it is a public health, safeguarding and service-resilience issue. The
World Health Organization
describes heat as an important environmental and occupational health hazard.
Who is most at risk?
A heatwave can affect anyone, but some people are more vulnerable. This includes older people, babies and young children, people with long-term conditions, people with mobility difficulties, people living alone, those taking multiple medicines, people who are already ill and dehydrated, people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers and those doing manual labour.
Age UK
provides useful advice for supporting older people during hot weather, while the
British Red Cross
offers practical heatwave resources for households, families and communities.
Practical actions for providers
- Build heat safety checks into care visits, handovers and welfare calls.
- Encourage people to stay out of direct heat, especially between 11am and 3pm.
- Support regular hydration with cold drinks and suitable cold foods.
- Help people keep living spaces cool during the day where appropriate.
- Open windows at night when the temperature outside has dropped.
- Check the rooms where vulnerable people live and sleep.
- Check on people who live alone or may struggle to care for themselves.
Planning ahead
Heatwave planning should be part of wider safeguarding, business continuity and quality assurance. UKHSA’s
Adverse Weather and Health Plan
sets out how public sector, independent sector, voluntary sector, health and social care organisations and local communities can work together to protect people during adverse weather.
A shared responsibility
Hot weather is not just a seasonal issue. It is a health protection, safeguarding and community resilience issue. By taking simple steps early, providers can help prevent avoidable illness, distress, hospital admissions and pressure on services.
Simple actions save lives: keep cool, stay hydrated, check indoor temperatures and look out for those most at risk.
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