EXTREME HEATWAVE: APPEAL TO DENTAL EMPLOYERS TO PROTECT STAFF

Hi #FIRST#,   As I am sat here writing this I feel like the Wicked Witch of The East...     Literally.... I am melting.   Having said that, I am lucky enough to be sat at a desk with a fan angled straight at my face.   My heart goes out to all Healthcare professionals who have to tolerate these insanely hot temperatures whilst on shift.

 

 

This is why it is so important that Employers take measures to protect Healthcare professionals.       And in turn, patients from the extreme heat we are experiencing.     This is the Met Office's first-ever 'red' warning.     With an 80% chance temperatures will exceed the current record high of 38.7C, and a 50% chance they will top 40C, said the meteorological service.     The UK Health Security Agency has also issued its first-ever level 4 heat health alert, which constitutes a national emergency.     Essentially, this means the heat wave is considered “so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system”     Warning that “illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups”.   The Royal College of Nursing said the extreme weather would intensify pressures on nurses and appealed to employers to act.

 

 

RCN professional lead for public health, Helen Donovan, said:   “Employers across every health and social care setting must do all they can to protect staff and patient health and wellbeing.   “Nursing staff will be working through this heat to care for patients, many of whom are vulnerable to the heat.”   The college said staff should be provided with easy access to drinking water and frequent breaks and that changes to shifts patterns may be needed for some.   It raised particular concern about nursing staff who will be wearing heavy-duty PPE.   “If nurses do not have the time and resources to take care of themselves, the care they can give patients will be impacted," said Ms Donovan.   Nurses were also “very concerned” about the impact of the heat on patients in hospitals, social care settings, and in the community, noted the RCN.   Ms Donovan said the public could “do their bit to help [healthcare workers]”    ....by staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous exercise, protecting children from the heat, and checking in on vulnerable friends, family or neighbours.   The intervention from the RCN comes after chief nursing officer for England Ruth May spoke out earlier this week about the importance of nurses being able to drink water at nursing stations.   Perhaps temperatures are rising in your current job?   Maybe you are considering alternative job opportunities.   If so, get in touch with the team today to book in your 15-minute discovery call to see what healthcare positions are available to you.   Speak soon,   Richard