the elderly with multiple health conditions and on multiple medications) and are likely to struggle to cope and whereh action is required within the health and social care sector specifically. Yellow alerts may be issued during periods of heat which would be unlikely to impact most people, but those you are particularly vulnerable (E.g. Yellow ( response) - These alerts cover a range of situations. However, during periods where the risk is minimal it is important that organisations ensure that they have plans in place and are prepared to respoond should an alert (yellow, amber or red) be issued. Green ( summer preparedness) - No alert will be issued as the conditions are likely to have minimal impact on health. The updated Heat-Health Alert system is more closely aligned with, and compementary to, the Met Office National Severe Weather Warning Service. Then a decision will be made on whether an alert is needed, and if so, what type of alert to issue (YELLOW, AMBER or RED). The Met Office regional day-time and night-time maximum temperature forecasts are monitored and when certain temperature thresholds are reached the Met Office and UKHSA undertake an assessment of the potential impacts and likelihood of those impacts occuring. It will give an indication of the impacts likely to be observed as a result of the temperatures. In summer 2023, the Heat-Health Alerts will transition to an impact based alerting, which will provide users with information over and above the fact that hot weather is likely to occur.

Should conditions for an alert be reached outside of this period, an extraordinary heat-health alert will be issued and stakeholders are advised to take the usual public health actions as recommended in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan. It has been in operation since 2004 and is designed to help healthcare professionals manage through periods of extreme temperature.

The Heat-health alert service is provided by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in partnership with the Met Office from June - Sept. It is aimed at health and social care professionals and any with a role in reducing the harm extended periods of hot weather can have on health.

Download excessive heat warning