Although many of us enjoy the sunshine, as a result of climate change we are increasingly likely to experience extreme summer temperatures that may be harmful to health. This can also affect the quality of the air we breathe as extreme heat can increase the number of pollutants in our air. Some groups of people who are more likely to be at risk of harm include older people, the very young and people with pre-existing medical conditions as well as those whose health, housing or economic circumstances put them at a greater risk of harm from very hot weather and poor air quality
There are some key public health messages that you and your organisation can share, do and promote to help keep people safe during warm weather or episodes of high air pollution. There are also steps that can be taken in advance to ensure buildings and services can support those who are most vulnerable.
Heat
The
Heatwave Plan for England
External link details these and provides specific guidance for providers including health and social care staff in settings such as community bases, care homes and hospitals. Additional resources and support can be found;
Heatwave Plan for England
External link this includes specific information for those providing care.
The Heatwave plan for England remains a central part of the Department of Health & Social Care’s support to the NHS, social care and local authorities, providing guidance on how to prepare for and respond to a heatwave which can affect everybody’s health, but particularly the most vulnerable people in society.
The purpose of this heatwave plan is to reduce summer deaths and illness by raising public awareness and triggering actions in the NHS, public health, social care and other community and voluntary organisations to support people who have health, housing or economic circumstances that increase their vulnerability to heat. Communities can also help their neighbours, friends and relatives to protect against avoidable harm to health this summer.
The plan continues to be underpinned by a system of heatwave alerts, developed with the Met Office. The heatwave plan describes the heat-health watch system which operates in England from 1 June to 15 September each year. During this period, the Met Office may forecast heatwaves, as defined by forecasts of day and night-time temperatures and their duration.
Air quality
The Leeds’ Air Quality Strategy 2021 to 2030 report
External link to Executive Board (PDF, 167KB) and action
plan
External link (PDF, 496KB) sets out plans to tackle air pollution from home, industry, transport and agriculture. It addresses work to be undertaken with the health and care sector to ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality understand best how to protect themselves during short term air pollution episodes.
Whilst air pollution episodes are infrequent, occasionally there are spikes in air pollution due to a combination of man-made and environmental factors which change the quality of the air. The Met Office provide a 5 day forecast for
air pollution
External link which is based on a combination of air quality monitoring data and computer modelling to provide a daily air quality index (DAQI) score. The scores range from 1 for low pollution to 10 for very high pollution.
Recommended actions
External link and health advice are provided for each point of the DAQI for members of the general population and for those considered to be at higher risk of the affects of poor air quality.
Information for staff providing care
The Department of Health have produced a helpful guide which contains tips and a checklist to help you audit how prepared your care home is to deal with heat.
Supporting vulnerable people before and during a heatwave: for care home managers and staff
External link
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have produced an Air Information
resource
External link, to support with understanding air pollution, the data, forecasts monitoring networks and public health advice
The Met Office
Visit the
Met Office
External linkwebsite for weather alerts.
Sign up to the Met Office's
weather alert emails
External link.
Leeds Clean Air
Visit
Clean Air Leeds
External link to find out more about air pollution and air quality in Leeds.
Sign up to receive
email alerts
External link from Leeds City Council when the Met Office forecasts that air pollution outdoors in Leeds will be high or very high.
Leeds Alerts
Register your company or service
External link
to receive alerts on incidents and emergencies in Leeds.
Staying hydrated
Take a look at our
helping people drink enough to stay healthy page for more advice and information on how to support your residents to stay hydrated.
