With temperatures in the UK set to reach as high as 30°C this week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a health warning, and provided information on how to keep vulnerable individuals safe.

Hot weather and heatwaves can cause people to become unwell through dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung problems and other diseases, the UK Government revealed in a post on its website.

The UKHSA advises: “Social care managers have an essential role in implementing this guidance and sharing it with staff before and during hot weather.”

It consequently published advice directed to social care managers, which can be read below.

Government advice for social care managers on hot weather

The UKHSA’s advice is as follows:

• Ensuring all social care staff are familiar with this guidance, and your local hot weather and business continuity plans before 1 June each year;
• Considering changes to the building that could reduce exposure to heat in the home or the care setting;
• Ensuring those in your service’s care drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, that staff monitor people in their care for significant changes in hydration status compared to what is normal for them (for example, peeing less often, feeling dizzy or light-headed) and know what action to take if these changes occur;
• Planning activities for times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening;
• Working with staff to keep those they care for out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, usually between 11am and 3pm.

If you work in a setting that provides care in clients’ own homes, you should also:

• Ensure staff know who is at higher risk of heat related illnesses and how to reduce that risk;
• Have plans in place for individuals you are responsible for to keep them and their home cool.

To find out more, read the UKHSA’s full list of advice and information here.