What's Happening
Nurses in the UK are fainting due to extreme heat in buildings that are not equipped for high temperatures. The warning comes from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which highlighted the urgency of adaptation measures so that hospitals and nursing homes can function without posing a risk to healthcare professionals and their patients.
According to the entity, professionals have reported cases where temperatures exceed 30°C in hospital wards and nursing homes across the country. Most of these buildings do not have air conditioning or fans. In some, not even windows can be opened, turning them into greenhouses with no air circulation.
Why It Matters
The situation is critical because hospitals and nursing homes are places where the most vulnerable people are exposed to precarious health conditions. The lack of adaptation to climate change is putting the health and safety of patients and healthcare professionals at risk.
“Our ward doesn't have air conditioning, so we're all having a very hard time. We've had hot summers before, but I don't remember working in conditions like these,” a nurse told the Guardian. “It gets to the point where you fear going to work.”
The Science Behind Extreme Heat
Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. This occurs because the atmosphere is warming due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, such as carbon dioxide and methane.
When the atmosphere warms, it can retain more heat, leading to higher temperatures. Additionally, climate change is also altering atmospheric circulation patterns, which can lead to more frequent and intense extreme heat events.
Broader Context
The UK is not the only country affected by extreme heat. Western Europe is experiencing its 5th heatwave since May, with thermometers reaching near 41°C in various areas of France.
According to AFP, over 135 million Europeans are suffering from the intense heat, with thermometers exceeding 30°C for nearly three out of five European residents. The recurrence of extreme heat this summer is exhausting Europeans' patience.
What's Next
In the short term, there is no expectation of relief for the British. Data from the Met Office indicates that the UK experienced its hottest day of the year yesterday, with a provisional high of 38.1°C in southern England.
It is essential that governments and health institutions take urgent measures to adapt hospitals and nursing homes to climate change. This includes installing air conditioning equipment, improving ventilation, and creating emergency plans for extreme heat events.
Conclusion
The crisis of inhumane heat in UK hospitals and nursing homes is a clear example of the consequences of climate change on public health. It is essential that we take urgent measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt our infrastructure to climate change.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/08/13/enfermeiros-relatam-calor-desumano-em-hospitais-e-lares-para-idosos-no-reino-unido/
Source Name: ClimaInfo