NHS Heatwaves Caused Patient Harm, Survey Finds

A Royal College of Nursing survey of over 2,400 nurses has found that extreme heat during the summer's record-breaking heatwaves caused patient harm and deaths in NHS hospitals, with some wards reaching dangerously high temperatures. The report, released on September 18, 2026, details how soaring temperatures led to deteriorating conditions for vulnerable patients, including a children's ward in Yorkshire that hit 44C and incidents where maggots infested wounds due to heat exposure. Nurses across the UK described dire situations, with patients suffering more from the heat than their original conditions. In the North West, staff reported patients fainting and dehydrated, while in the East of England, heart failure patients endured temperatures over 30C in wards with blocked windows. A palliative care nurse in the South West recounted a dying patient whose chronic ulcers attracted flies and maggots, creating traumatic final memories for the patient and family. The survey highlighted that 74% of nurses had little confidence in government action to mitigate climate change impacts on healthcare.