London newborns suffered respiratory distress in heatwaves

Newborn babies in London experienced increased respiratory distress during summer heatwaves, a survey of nursing staff has revealed. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) poll found that patients deteriorated in 'suffocating atmospheres' on NHS wards due to high temperatures, with some nurses reporting that the heat directly impacted patient deaths.

Impact on vulnerable patients

The survey of 2,471 nursing staff, conducted during the summer heatwaves, detailed instances of patients suffering from dehydration and fainting. Those with heart failure and respiratory conditions appeared to fare worse in the heat. One nurse described patients with heart failure sitting in rooms exceeding 30C with blocked windows. Another reported that high temperatures led to slower wound healing and declining mobility, making rest a struggle for patients.

Chemotherapy treatment affected

In London, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were treated in rooms without air conditioning. Nurses observed patients sweating heavily during their treatments, raising concerns about safety beyond mere comfort. The RCN described the conditions as 'inhumane', with one nurse stating that a veterinary surgery would not be permitted to operate under similar circumstances.

Wider consequences for care

The extreme heat also led to more than 1,000 NHS operations being cancelled during record-breaking heatwaves in May and June. Nurses also reported an increase in challenging behaviour among mental health patients, resulting in more assaults on staff. A palliative care nurse recounted an incident where a patient's chronic wounds festered to the point of attracting flies and developing maggots during a heatwave.

Call for government investment

RCN chief executive Professor Nicola Ranger stated that the testimony revealed the devastating impact of extreme heat on patients, leading to increased deaths and deterioration in services. She attributed these issues to long-term underinvestment in health and care services, leaving them unprepared for climate change. Professor Ranger called for accelerated investment in hospitals and care settings to ensure effective cooling facilities are in place by next summer, warning that patients will otherwise suffer significant harm again.

Seventy-four per cent of those polled expressed little or no confidence that the government was taking sufficient action to mitigate the impact of climate change on the NHS and social care.