Extreme weather guidance

Stay out of the heat

• Try to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day (between 1100 and 1500).
• If colleagues, patients or service users are out in the heat encourage them to walk in the shade, apply sunscreen, and wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes including a hat and light scarf.
• Slow down and reduce / avoid extreme physical exertion.
• Wear sunscreen, shades and light hats or scarves when out.

Cool yourself down

• If you, patients or service users are feeling thirsty then it is a sign of dehydration, therefore ensure that you drink plenty of water or water based liquids. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.
• Check your urine – if it is dark or strong smelling, then you should drink water immediately.
• Encourage colleagues, patients and services users to eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with high water content.  Offer ice lollies and cool squash regularly to inpatients and ensure fresh water is available.
• Encourage colleagues, patients and services users to take cool showers, baths, or body washes.
• Encourage colleagues, patients and services users to sprinkle water over the skin or on clothing or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.
• Take regular breaks and have them somewhere cool .After work and between shifts, try to stay cool to give your body a chance to recover.

Keep our environments cool.

• Keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped (if possible). If blinds / curtains are available, then close them during the day.
• Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment – they generate heat.
• Keep windows closed if air conditioning is operating.
• If possible, then move yourself, colleagues, patients and service users into a cooler room.

Keep yourself cool when travelling.

• Carry water with you at all times. Drink every 30 minutes especially if driving or out of doors.
• Open the car windows to allow the hot air to escape before getting in and turning on the air conditioning.
• Listen for traffic updates to avoid traffic jams.
• Ensure that PPE supplies are sufficient to cover a likely increase in demand for certain PPE items during warmer months due to staff changing equipment more frequently.

Symptoms of Heat Stress (NHS Signs of Heat Exhaustion.)

• Use a buddy system with your team to look out for the signs of heat stress.
• See the NHS guide on signs of heat exhaustion here

If you or others feel unwell

• Try to get help.
• Move to a cool place as soon as possible and measure your body temperature.
• Lie down and raise your feet slightly.
• Drink some water or fruit juice to rehydrate.
• Rest immediately in a cool place and consider drinking oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes.
• Medical attention is needed if heat cramps last more than one hour.
• Consult your doctor if you feel unusual symptoms or if symptoms persist.

For further tips on how to cope in hot weather see the NHS page Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather.

Visit the Government website to find useful guides on Supporting vulnerable people before and during a heatwave.

A wide variety of medicines, particularly those used to treat serious mental illness, can affect the body’s temperature regulation and or elimination of heat. You can learn more about the symptoms and immediate management of heat stroke and exhaustion here.  

Antipsychotics, antihistamines (such as promethazine), anticholinergic drugs (such as procyclidine) and serotonergic drugs (antidepressants such as sertraline, fluoxetine or citalopram) have all been linked with increasing the risk of heat related illnesses such as dehydration, hyperthermia or heat stroke, resulting in hospitalisation.  

It is essential during periods of extreme heat that individuals receiving medication that may impact the bodies heat regulation, especially those psychotropic medicines, are warned about the impacts on the body’s heat regulation and if an in-patient attentive monitoring is undertaken. 

Individuals who are taking lithium should avoid becoming dehydrated, as this will increase their lithium blood level, potentially causing dangerous lithium toxicity. 

It is important to communicate with patients about the additional risks posed by their medications, in relation to the heat, and support them to manage the risks.