Staying safe during the heat

At this time of year most of us look forward to some warm, sunny weather and the chance to spend time outdoors, but it’s important to remember that some people struggle to cope in the heat. 

The good news is, we can all take precautions that allow us to enjoy the hot weather safely and help people who might be more vulnerable as the temperatures rise.

Who is vulnerable?

Anyone can become unwell when the weather is hot. People who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell include:

• older people aged 65 years and over
• babies and young children aged 5 years and under
• people with underlying health conditions particularly heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, or mobility problems
• people on certain medications
• people with serious mental health problems
• people who are already ill and dehydrated (for example from diarrhoea and vomiting)
• people who experience alcohol or drug dependence
• people who are physically active and spend a lot of time outside such as runners, cyclists and walkers

• people who work in jobs that require manual labour or extensive time outside
• people experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as sofa surfers or living in hostels.
• people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves

What can we do to stay safe?

There are a few very simple things we can all to do stay safe when we experience high temperatures.

This includes looking out for people who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated. Get in touch with friends, family or neighbours that may need help keeping cool.

Staying cool indoors is important, taking action like closing curtains on rooms that face the sun but also remembering that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.

And if you’re out and about, try to keep out of the sun and avoid physical exertion in the hottest part of the day.

There’s lots more information online to help you stay safe during hot weather. Visit the UKHSA and NHS websites including their pages on how to beat the heat and on heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

MyHealth Devon is a website developed by local doctors that provides information on waiting times, your care pathway, waiting times and on what you can do to manage specific symptoms or conditions. 

The website has been set up so that the people of Devon have the latest information about waiting times for routine or 'planned' care at local hospitals; are aware of the choices available and have the information needed to make meaningful choices. It also provides information about the local support that is available for specific conditions and how you can manage your own care.

https://myhealth-devon.nhs.uk/

This practice is delighted to be signed up to the Green Impact for Health Toolkit and is actively taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint.

The climate emergency is also a health emergency, and health care in the UK contributes 5.4% of the UK's carbon emissions. We need to enhance the health of our current population without compromising the health of future generations, and this means operating within the sustainable boundaries of the planet. Fortunately most of the solutions for the planet also make our health better - for example eating a mainly plant-based diet, engaging in active travel and exercise in nature, avoiding smoking, reducing pollution etc all enhance our health and reduce our need for medications, with further benefits to the NHS, your health and the carbon footprint of healthcare.

Take a look at the Greener Practice website to learn more about this.

From 1^st December 2022 Dr Ruth Greaves will be stepping down from being a Partner at the Seaton and Colyton Medical Practice.

She will continue to work at the surgery on 2 days per week but will not have a personal list of patients.

All patients currently registered with Dr Greaves will be transferred to other GPs within the Practice.

The wearing of a face covering within the practice is now a personal preference.

If you are visiting with respiratory symptoms, including cough, sore throat, breathing problems or fever, we would encourage masks to be worn.

We have masks available at our Self Check-In point and Reception.