Welcome to the Hampshire Care Association web site
With reference to the forthcoming heat wave which has been forecast, the following information has been issued by the DH. We have also attached the relevant leaflets for you to download.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HEATWAVE PLAN
The DH Heatwave Plan for England, first published in 2004, was reissued on12 May 2009 as a part of raising both public and professional awareness. The Plan, its accompanying factsheets and public information leaflet are available on the DH website at: www.dh.gov.uk/publications. The Plan’s purpose is to enhance resilience in the event of a heatwave and is seen as an important component of overall emergency planning.
The following have also been made directly aware of the Plan and its requirements:
HPA CE; PCT and Trust CEs; CSCI CE; DPHs; GPs; PCT lead nurses; Directors of Social Services; Directors of Housing and Planning; Directors of Adult Services; Directors of Children’s Services; Professional Bodies (RCGP, RCP, RPSGB, RCN, CPHVA, Community and District Nurses Association) and Care Associations (National Care Association, ECCA, Registered Nursing Homes Association and Carers UK).
The full text is available at www.dh.gov.uk/publications. However the following paragraphs are relevant specifically to care homes
· Greater clarity is given for those with respiratory problems: ozone levels increase in hot weather, however it drops in the evening. Therefore, advice is consistent with the rest of the heatwave plan, to shade windows and keep them closed when the outside temperature is hotter than inside, and to open windows when it is cooler outside than inside to aide cooling. Additionally, for those with respiratory problems it is best to stay inside during the hottest part of the day.
· Independent Care Homes and Hospitals are made aware of the Plan, of the specific risks associated with residents of care homes, and of the specific advice directed at Care Home Managers and Staff.
· NHS Trusts, including Mental Health Trusts, have assessed their ability to maintain their temperatures below 260C in order to reduce risk to vulnerable groups. In the French 2003 heatwave, 2,000 of the 15,000 deaths were among those already in hospital at its start.
· All local emergency plans and procedures incorporate this Plan where relevant, and those involved in their implementation, including Local Resilience Fora, are made familiar with it.
If you wish to discuss any policy elements of the Plan, you should contact
Dr Jo Nurse on 01483 88 2866 or Jo.Nurse@dh.gsi.gov.uk. For operational issues, you should contact Paul Lees on 020 7210 5199 or Paul.lees@dh.gsi.gov.uk.
PDF documents you may find useful:
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