Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to prepare for potential increased pressure on the health service in the context of forecasted heatwaves in July 2022.

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) ‘Heatwave Plan for England’ provides guidance for the National Health Service and other professional bodies to reduce the risks to health from prolonged exposure to severe heat. The UKHSA and the Met Office issue heat alerts to relevant health and social care professionals, providing advance warning of high temperatures to ensure that the impact of heat on people's health is minimised.

All NHS organisations have contingency plans for extreme heat, which are tailored for local needs. Regional NHS bodies can provide additional support during periods of higher demand for services, where this is required.