Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent advice his Department has issued to (a) the NHS and (b) local authorities on how to protect vulnerable people during a period of severe hot weather; and when that advice was last issued and revised.

The annual Heatwave Plan for England is co-ordinated by Public Health England (PHE) on behalf of the health, social care and public health system. It aims to raise both public and professional awareness of the health impacts of severe heat and cold weather.

Existing advice on looking after children in school and early year’s settings is now available in a stand-alone leaflet, which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/428850/Looking_After_Children_Heat_PHE_AC_AB_Publications_MP_JRM_FINAL.PDF

The plan recommends a series of steps to be taken throughout the year by National Health Service, local government, voluntary and community groups and individuals to reduce the harm to health from hot weather. To support the plan, the Met Office issues alerts which are cascaded to a wide range of health and social care organisations.

PHE and its partner organisations undertake substantial public communications before and during heatwave alerts. Information for the public is also available on the NHS Choices website.

The plan is a good practice guide. All local health and social care organisations should adapt the national plan as appropriate to the local context and satisfy themselves that providers and stakeholders take appropriate action, according to the alert level.