The UK's recent record-breaking heatwave – with temperatures reaching 40.3°C – has made many of us reflect on climate change and the impacts this will have on health in the future, as extreme weather becomes more common. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA, 2021) state that ‘our changing climate is one of the most challenging health security threats we face and understanding and mitigating its impact on our health is a key priority.’ Statistics show that the average surface temperature in the UK has already risen by 1.2°C (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), 2022), putting us at higher risk of drought, flooding and extreme weather events. In Summer 2020 there were 2556 all-cause excess deaths (excluding deaths from COVID-19) during episodes of heat (UKHSA, 2021), and it is projected that heat-related deaths will triple by 2050.
The warming climate puts health at risk by increasing the likelihood of injuries and illness from extreme weather events, affecting the supply of safe water, crop failure leading to food shortages, changing the patterns of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as well as social effects that impact on health such as those caused by loss of livelihoods and pressures on health services.
What impact will this have on practice nursing? Well for one, many GP surgeries are not equipped to deal with this level of heat – very few have air conditioning. All nurses need to make sure they stay hydrated during extremely hot days, with the Royal College of Nursing calling on employers to ensure nurses have access to water and that they try their best to reduce indoor temperatures with fans, window shades or blinds during July's heatwave.
It can all feel a bit hopeless, but there is plenty that we can do to mitigate against the changing climate. Some of these changes can also have a positive effect on health, creating a ‘win-win’ situation. OHID (2022) suggest: encouraging patients and staff to use active travel when appropriate for them, especially for short journeys; identify patients most vulnerable to cold or hot weather, and make sure they know how to keep their homes at a reasonable temperature; and advise people to increase their consumption of whole grains, nuts, seeds, plant-based protein, fruits and vegetables, while reducing red meat and processed food consumption. They also suggest opting for low-carbon treatments and technologies where possible and appropriate. The Greener Respiratory Pathway from the Primary Care Respiratory Society (2022) can help to provide a greener approach to respiratory care.
Do you think practice nurses can make a difference to climate change? We'd love to hear from you at pn@markallengroup.com
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