Warning of potential heatwave for parts of England this week – NPA heatwave guidance available

NHS England has issued a warning for a potential heatwave between Tuesday and Thursday this week – NPA “Heatwave: guidance” is available

NHS England has issued warning of a Level two alert stating that there is a 70 percent chance of a heatwave between Tuesday to Thursday morning this week (week commencing 24 June 2019) in parts of England.

When the Met Office raises a Level two alert, it means that there is a high chance of average temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degree Celsius during the night over the next two to three days.

Excessive heat can be harmful to people and medicines. The NPA “Heatwave: guidance”, applicable to all home countries, is now available to help:

• Ensure appropriate procedures are in place to minimise medicines exposure to excessive heat
• Advise pharmacy contactors on which people are classed as ‘at risk’ of heat-related illnesses
• Advise members of the public to prepare and cope with a heatwave
• Advise members of the public on the effects of heat on health
• Pharmacy contractors deal with patients with suspected heatstroke
• Pharmacy contractors identify medicines capable of increasing the risk of heatstroke in certain susceptible people
• Pharmacy contractors understand the Heat-Health Watch system (England only)

For further information on this or any other query, please contact the NPA Pharmacy Services team on 01727 891 800 or email pharmacyservices@npa.co.uk.

Produced by the NPA Pharmacy Services team June 2019.