Heat summary - supporting vulnerable people: healthcare professionals
This page advises healthcare professionals working within the community, care homes or hospital environments on how to reduce the risks of hot weather to the health of people they provide care for. This is part of the guidance for the hazard: heat.
Applies to England
CCHS navigation menu:
CCHS homepage
Topic: climate-related hazards
Hazard: all climate-related hazards, heat
Key resources for supporting vulnerable people:
- Heat summary - healthcare professionals
- Full guidance
More roles:
Summary
Hot weather 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 full guidance document includes information on:
- actions that healthcare professionals can take to prepare for, and respond to, hot weather
- who is at risk of ill health from heat
- how to recognise heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and what actions to take in these cases.
Who is this guidance for
This guidance is aimed at social care managers and aims to advise on ways to reduce the risks associated with hot weather for those you care for.
Healthcare professionals should also consult the action card for health and social care providers, and summary posters for:
- for services delivering care to people in their homes
- for hospitals and healthcare settings in the community
- care homes and other adult social care residential settings
These summarise actions to take at each Heat-Health Alert type (yellow, amber, or red).
Other information
This guidance applies to England. It was updated in 2024 and is scheduled for review in 2029.