UK National Health Service restricts air conditioning Use In Hospitals
One for the history books studying the 21st Century Climate obsession. According to the Telegraph, the UK is struggling to do blood tests and even some surgery during summer heatwaves because the NHS says air conditioning should only be used in “essential areas” and human health is, apparently, less important than the jet stream
So in one of the richest countries on Earth, blood samples have had to be destroyed, people have had to return for repeat tests, and some clinics have shut down temporarily because outdoor temperatures hit a ‘catastrophic’ 35C or even 38C.
One day we hope the UK might advance to the point it can afford to use air-conditioning in all surgical theatres and pathology clinics.
By Michael Searles, The Telegraph
Blood samples are also more likely to degrade in the heat, with doctors warned about the risk of false-positive or false-negative results. However, as part of ‘climate resilience’ efforts, those responsible for NHS buildings are encouraged to use natural ventilation instead of air conditioning to keep temperatures down.
It means some surgeries struggle to keep room temperatures below the 25C required to store blood samples and test tubes safely.
This summer has already broken temperature records with highs of 35.1C in May and 38C in June, with drought conditions declared across half of England on Wednesday, and the whole of Wales on the 30th.
Many blood clinics have been forced to close or cut hours during extreme temperatures, with patients redirected to other facilities, typically those better equipped to cope.
It’s hard to believe it has come to this, but the NHS actually tells GP’s they should open windows. Like that had never occurred to a doctor before.
The NHS Net Zero Building Standard, published in 2023, states that “mechanical cooling should be minimised as far as possible to meet thermal comfort criteria, as well as reduce energy demands”.
Many GP surgeries are based in 20th-century concrete buildings and are unable to retrofit air-conditioning units, either because they are incompatible, funding is not provided, or they would not meet ‘carbon’-reduction goals.
Guidance says they should explore every other avenue to reduce temperatures first, such as improving insulation and windows.
Even surgeries have been cancelled.
Sometimes when things get hot, surgeons have to take breaks or even cancel the surgery. Since the NHS doesn’t ban air conditioners in operating theaters, this may be more a sad statement of crumbling infrastructure — a story of a great nation driven to poverty due to a frivolous quest to protect walruses.
Source: NHS forced to cancel blood tests during heatwave
(It could even be the medical associations are doing a bit of climate campaigning and exaggeration here, tugging the heart strings to get a new building, or to impress their friends in Parliament — UK readers, is it really this bad?).
By Laura Donnelly, The Telegraph
Surgeons are breaking off operations midway after becoming overwhelmed by Britain’s heatwaves, medical leaders have claimed. They said NHS hospitals were reaching extreme temperatures in the sweltering conditions, leaving theatre staff dehydrated, dizzy, and in some cases close to fainting.
NHS guidance says air conditioning should only be used in “essential areas”, which includes operating theatres. The drive has been enforced as part of ‘net zero’ strategies that promote natural ventilation, but doctors say ageing infrastructure means many hospitals are unable to cope with rising summer temperatures.
Cooling systems struggle to keep temperatures down in operating theatres, while wards and other parts of hospitals often have little or no air conditioning.
Previous surveys have found almost one in five surgeons reported operations being cancelled during hot weather, while four in 10 operating theatres had no effective means of controlling temperature.
Source: Surgery stopped halfway through as heatwave hits hospitals
It sounds more like Africa every day.
Meanwhile, obsolete heating systems leave radiators continuing to blast out heat even as staff deploy fans, the Royal College said. One hospital was forced to cancel operations when the humidity became so excessive that a fire alarm was triggered.
Visitors to the UK would be advised to buy the highest level travel insurance they can afford. One that flies them to another country.
No disrespect intended for British readers. We weep…
See more here joannenova.com
Terry Shipman
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We have had a heatwave here in Arkansas the past several weeks. It got above 100 F several days. In that time I went to my doctor, had my annual dermatologist visit and took some friends to their doctor’s office. In each case it was wonderfully cool in each of these offices. It was such a pleasure to come inside and enjoy air conditioned comfort.
Finally, a cold front moved through Arkansas and the temperature ONLY reached the low 90’s F. Downright chilly!
If someone suggested that doctor and hospitals not have air conditioning here in Arkansas they would be laughed out of town for the utter stupidity of the suggestion.
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