“As a country, we need more planning and preparedness for severe climate events,” said Dr Chris Papadopoulos, a public health lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire. “The best response to public health threats is always prevention.”
Mr Ward added that the UK heatwave plan is “not fit for purpose”, citing a recent review of the strategy which found it was too focused on “warning and informing”, rather than planning and material aid to offer.
In addition to preparing for the increasing pressures on the health system, Mr Ward said ventilation in public transport should be improved, while temperature limits should be introduced for those who work outdoors.
And in addition to improving insulation in homes to protect against the cold, buildings must be retrofitted to prepare for the heat, adding elements such as shutters to keep the heat out.
“The major danger to those who are vulnerable is overheating in their homes,” said Mr Ward. He added that heat waves, like severe storms, need to be named to raise their profile.
“We need to start seeing high temperatures as a natural disaster,” he added. “If 100 people died during floods, we would describe it as a natural disaster. Heat waves clearly are – and preventable.”
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