Much like the weather of late, the number of deaths has increased exponentially, when compared to past statistics.
When the deaths were compared with the national statistics over the past five years, 663 additional deaths have been attributed to the abnormally hot periods we have experienced in June and July.
It would seem that a similar spike occurred throughout the hot weather last summer, where almost 1000 extra people were victims of the hot conditions. The statistics for this year, that were taken during the official heatwave between June 25th to July 9th, highlight the worsening of conditions and the failure of plans to reduce the public’s risk to hot conditions.
Through the governments ‘Heatwave plan for England’, they emphasise: “the importance of joint working across agencies including the voluntary and community sector, and highlight one of the aims of the plan, which is to ensure that there is an integrated response to severe heat events across sectors.”
Clive James, Training Officer at St John Ambulance, says: “Extreme heat can be dangerous, particularly for the very young and old, but by being prepared you can spot the early warning signs and potentially be the difference between life and death in an emergency.
“Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the most serious problems that can develop when the mercury soars so it’s essential that people can spot the signs, such as headache and dizziness, and get them somewhere cool and rehydrated as soon as possible.”
This advice will be little consolation to NHS staff that have been forced to work in unbearably hot conditions, whilst dealing with the pressures of a busy holiday period and reduced staff.
Dr Isobel Braithwaite, of the public health charity, Medact, stated. “Although the 2018 data is only preliminary, there seems to have been a concerning increase in the number of deaths. This fits in with current scientific evidence, which clearly shows that long periods of very warm weather can harm people’s health, particularly at extremes of age and in people with other pre-existing health problems.”
“While working in A&E this summer, I saw patients presenting with heatstroke and other conditions that were probably exacerbated by the hot weather, and this obviously places an additional strain on our already struggling health services.”
Alarmingly, recent research carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, concluded that heatwave related deaths will rise steadily by 2080 if the present conditions do not improve.
Co-author of the report, Antonio Gasparrini claims: “Worryingly, research shows that it is highly likely that there will be an increase in their frequency and severity under a changing climate, however, evidence about the impacts on mortality at a global scale is limited,”
The evidence hypothesises, that by 2080, Columbia could see an increase in heatwave related deaths by more than 30 times the current levels.
If these predicted trends manifest and the government continues to fail in its responsibility in ensuring public safety during these hot conditions, then we will continue to see dramatic increases in heatwave related deaths.
In a time when 60% of the UK’s adult population do not have a will and 84% of those aged 18-24 do not have a will, should we be more prepared for these adverse conditions?
Do you know families that have been affected by the recent heatwave? Should we be more prepared in the event of our unexpected death?
