Tuesday 9 September 2014

Is the NHS ready for climate change?

Hospitals are being asked to share how prepared they are - if at all - for climate change by the NHS’s Sustainable Development Unit (SDU).

The query comes after warnings nine in ten hospital wards are at risk of overheating because of climate change-related rising temperatures. The worrying research for the Committee on Climate Change was published in July.

Ability to control ward temperatures is often limited, pointed out the subcommittee of the CCC behind the report, advising that the Care Quality Commission should consider setting standards for maximum temperatures in hospitals.

The SDU is contacting all Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) to get their input into a government report looking at how the health and care system is adapting to climate change.

A working group including representatives at the Department of Health, NHS England, Public Health England and NHS Property Services is developing the report.

For more information ,the SDU can be contacted on 0113 825 3220 or via England.sdu@nhs.net.