Guidance

Heatwave Plan for England

The Heatwave Plan for England aims to prepare, alert and prevent people from the preventable health impacts from severe heat in England.

From:
UK Health Security Agency, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England
Published
13 May 2014
Last updated
26 April 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Heatwave Plan for England

Ref: UKHSA publications gateway number GOV-12083 PDF, 1.42 MB, 48 pages

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Supporting vulnerable people before and during a heatwave: for care home managers and staff

PDF, 524 KB, 14 pages

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Looking after children and those in early years settings during heatwaves: for teachers and professionals

PDF, 255 KB, 7 pages

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Beat the Heat: keep cool at home checklist

PDF, 236 KB, 5 pages

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Supporting vulnerable people before and during a heatwave: for health and social care professionals

PDF, 601 KB, 16 pages

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Details

The NHS is currently working on updating its missions and procedures of operations before and during heat-health alerts. The Heatwave Plan for England will be amended in accordance with the latest modifications. Please ensure you have the latest version.

The content of the Heatwave Plan for England generally remains unchanged for summer 2022.

To reduce the risks to health from prolonged exposure to severe heat, the plan gives advice to:

  • the NHS, local authorities, social care and other public agencies
  • professionals working with people at risk
  • individuals, local communities and voluntary groups

Documents supporting the Heatwave Plan for England were previously published by Public Health England and can still be accessed. These include:

Download a training slideset on the health impacts of hot weather and the Heatwave Plan for England for the health and social care system and the voluntary sector.

The Heatwave Plan for England is underpinned by the Heat-Health Watch Alert Service commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and operated by the Met Office.

The content of these alerts is aimed at health and social care organisations and other professionals that work with individuals or communities who may be affected by hot weather.

Register for heat health and cold weather alert service.

Published 13 May 2014
Last updated 26 April 2022 + show all updates

  1. Updated Heatwave Plan for England report and training slideset on the health impacts of hot weather.

  2. Updated 'Beat the Heat' leaflet and poster for COVID-19.

  3. Leaflet, flyer, posters and hyperlinks in Heatwave Plan updated. Additional hot weather and COVID-19 specific resources added.

  4. Updated 'Heatwave Plan for England'.

  5. Updated advice for hydration, to align it with government nutrition advice on hydration and drinks.

  6. Heatwave guidance updated.

  7. Updated heatwave plan for England 2018 and added link to training slideset.

  8. Added 'Beat the heat: keep care home residents safe and well'.

  9. Published new cover letter and resources for this year's heatwave plan for England.

  10. Uploaded 2015 editions of: Looking after yourself; Making the case; Advice for care home managers; and Advice for Health Professionals.

  11. Uploaded the 'Heatwave Plan for England' (May 2015).

  12. The 'Heatwave Plan for England 2014: easy read version' has been uploaded.

  13. First published.