London (United Kingdom), 13 Aug. (LaPresse/AP) – Much of Western Europe will once again be hit by a scorching heatwave today, with the UK set to face the fifth heatwave of an exceptional summer that is shaping up to be the hottest on record. Forecasters are predicting temperatures of up to 38 °C in central and south-east England, just below the August record of 38.5 °C, set in 2003. The Met Office stated earlier this week that average conditions for the rest of August would be enough to break last year’s heat record. For a country largely unprepared to cope with extreme temperatures, the past few weeks have been particularly difficult. Air conditioning is a rarity outside shops and offices. Working in hospitals has been particularly challenging. According to the Royal College of Nursing, there have been cases of heat-related fainting. “When nursing staff collapse, feel dizzy or unwell, or are even admitted to the very hospitals where they work because their workplaces are not prepared for the heat, it shows just how seriously this issue is being neglected,” said Professor Nicola Ranger, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Heatwave alert in Britain as temperatures reach 38°C: people fainting in hospitals
London (United Kingdom), 13 Aug. (LaPresse/AP) – Much of Western Europe will once again be hit by a scorching heatwave today, with the UK set to face the fifth heatwave of an exceptional summer that is shaping up to be the hottest on record. Forecasters are predicting temperatures of up to 38 °C in central and south-east England, just below the August record of 38.5 °C, set in 2003. The Met Office stated earlier this week that average conditions for the rest of August would be enough to break last year’s heat record. For a country largely unprepared to cope with extreme temperatures, the past few weeks have been particularly difficult. Air conditioning is a rarity outside shops and offices. Working in hospitals has been particularly challenging. According to the Royal College of Nursing, there have been cases of heat-related fainting. “When nursing staff collapse, feel dizzy or unwell, or are even admitted to the very hospitals where they work because their workplaces are not prepared for the heat, it shows just how seriously this issue is being neglected,” said Professor Nicola Ranger, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).