'Outdated' NHS buildings causing problems for staff and patients during heatwave, warns BMA

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The BMA suggested the NHS is unequipped to deal with the high temperatures we have been experiencing in recent days.

BMA representative body chair Dr Amit Kochhar said: “The NHS estate – including hospitals and GP practices – is in many cases outdated and in desperate need of modernising."

"It’s estimated that in general practice alone, 20% of surgery buildings predate the foundation of the NHS itself," he added.

The BMA explained that NHS buildings are often "poorly ventilated, cramped and without air conditioning or effective temperature control".

Dr Kochhar said: "In extreme temperatures like we’re experiencing this week or at the other end of the spectrum in the depths of winter, this can cause real problems for both staff trying to work comfortably and safely, and for patients being treated or waiting to be seen – in some cases for health conditions related to the temperature itself."

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He added: “Employers have a duty to mitigate against the dangerous impact of rising temperatures on staff, but we know in ageing, cramped and inappropriate NHS buildings, this is incredibly challenging.

“While we’re clear more must be done to address the climate change health emergency at a global and national level, we’ve persistently made the case for more capital investment to bring the NHS estate up-to-date so that staff can work safely and efficiently to treat patients all year-round, adapting to the sadly more frequent extreme weather we’re seeing today.”

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) also said doctors have described severe, unsustainable pressure on the workforce, with very few settings having air conditioning, staff “really struggling” and resident doctors battling the heat while sleep-deprived.

The RCP said there have been reports of patients on geriatric wards facing temperatures of up to 35C, while one physician said their care setting is “unfit to cope” with the heat.

One physician said their hospital had “called a critical incident due to multiple areas with machine problems”, the RCP said.

Testing laboratories were in difficulty, and two linear accelerator machines used to treat cancer had stopped due to the heat, according to the RCP.

They were working in a relatively new care setting, “tacked on to an old Victorian hospital”, creating further infrastructure challenges.

“It’s hopeless really,” they said.

They also faced “major issues” with their IT servers because of the temperatures.

They said: “We thought we were going to lose everything, so we were all asked to turn off non-essential computers and electrical equipment, including lights.”

Another physician said: “Lots of people, especially older patients, are turning up having collapsed or with dehydration.

“In terms of inpatients, the conditions are awful due to overcrowding. Very few places have air conditioning and staff are really struggling.”

Dr Hilary Williams, RCP clinical vice-president, said: “This week, physician colleagues across the country have told us the significant impact the heat is having on them, their patients and their teams.

“There are reports of older patients arriving at hospital having collapsed or with dehydration. Patients are facing overcrowding, and there are issues with machines, laboratories and kidney dialysis – all fundamental to providing safe patient care.

“The impact of heatwaves on staff cannot be overstated. There is a sense of foreboding when we see the weather forecast, because we know what is to come, and there is very little staff can do.

“It is not as simple as buying fans, which can present a fire risk when used alongside oxygen, and may increase the spread of infection. The NHS is already facing enormous pressure from rising demand and workforce shortages. Coupled with an ageing estate, these challenges intensify during extreme weather.

“As clinicians, there are immediate steps we can take to protect patients, such as reviewing medications that affect hydration and ensuring they are stored appropriately.

“But this must be matched by system-level change – strengthening infrastructure and embedding resilience into NHS reform. Buildings must be upgraded to withstand extreme heat and other climate risks.

“Hospitals should be places of safety, not settings where extreme heat puts patients and staff at risk.”