Extreme hot weather plans and advice

With temperatures set to rise today and extreme hot weather forecast for Monday and Tuesday, we want to remind you of the measures the Trust is taking to support you.   

The Trust has put in place its heatwave plans with increased tactical manager deployment and an additional focus on staff welfare.  

Crews are reminded to call your Local Operations Manager if you are on a prolonged outdoor callout and need further support.  

If there are any concerns with patients, please make use of the clinical advice line and an updated clinical notice on heat-related illness has been put on Need to Know. 

We are reminding you of self-care measures to ensure you keep safe and well:   

• Always have water available and keep drinking plenty of fluids.  If you work operationally or in the community and don’t have a water bottle, ask your line manager for a Trust-issue reusable one. 
• Bottled water is only available for protracted incidents only (to help us do our bit for the environment).  If you need bottled water at an incident, please ask. 
• All our people working in the community can access the welfare vehicles. 
• Use sunscreen where appropriate. For crews, please remember to take it with you in case you are working outdoors for prolonged periods. 
• For those in uniform, wear your summer polo shirts 
• For this period of hot weather, we have relaxed the uniform policy to allow you to wear sunhats,  
• Work in a shaded area where possible and cover up as necessary if you are outside. 

If for any reason you are unable to work safely in the high temperatures, please inform your line mangers and/or AOC. 

Wearing PPE 

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in warm/hot environments increases the risk of heat stress. 

Please read the guidance published around wearing PPE in the heat and steps to take to stay safe. 

Photo credit: Laura Jordan's picture of Southend on Sea

Sunday 17 July 2022