We have received this email and thought it worth sharing with residents.

This email is calling on the public sector, voluntary sector, health and social care organisations to prepare for periods of warm weather to help protect health and save lives.

Actions for All Organisations

Please ensure your teams:

register to receive heat-health alerts by email from UKHSA - if you already receive cold-health alerts, you do not need to sign up again. You can also view the current situation on the Government website
identify who are particularly at risk to hot weather, including those within your commissioned services (see below)
consider how your services may be affected by hot weather, and ensure contingency and business continuity plans are in place
plan for the measures for at-risk populations thatyour services and organisations will adopt
refer to the public health resources below – this includes Beat the Heat guidance for the general public, as well as action cards and other guidance that can help professionals in preparedness and response.

Exposure to hot weather can pose significant risks to health and life, particularly for vulnerable populations. It is essential that all organisations take proactive steps to prepare and support residents during periods of high temperatures.

Please cascade and promote this message to relevant stakeholders, such as staff, partners, providers, paid and unpaid carers, and service-users. You can use meetings, forums and groups within your organisation and local area to engage people.

Thank you for your support in helping protect residents during periods of hot weather.

Kind regards,

Dr Matt Pearce PGDip MPH PhD FFPH

Director of Public Health West Berkshire Council and Reading Borough Council

Market Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5LD

Health risks of hot weather

As summer is arriving, West Berkshire Council’s Public Health Team is calling on colleagues to plan ahead as to how hot weather would impact the way your organisation works, as well as the health and wellbeing of staff, clients and communities.

Hot weather is associated with an increased risk of poor health outcomes:

Anyone can feel unwell in hot weather, but some groups face higher risks of becoming seriously unwell.
Evidence shows that hot weather increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, lung illnesses and other diseases.
Official statistics show that in summer 2025, 1,504 people in England died from causes related to heat.
People aged 85 and above had the highest death rates related to heat
The Berkshire West Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-2030 will be the focus for health and social care working in partnership across all three areas to improve your health and wellbeing.

There is information below on the key groups that face the highest risks during hot weather. Everyone can play a part in supporting our residents’ health and wellbeing, and it is important that organisations are prepared and can take action when hot temperatures occur.

Heat-Health Alerts

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)’s Adverse Weather and Health Plan is a framework that guides preparation and response in hot weather. The Plan has been updated for 2026/27.

UKHSA will issue heat-health alerts from 1 June to 30 September. These alerts are aimed at professionals within the health and social care sector, and those who have a role in responding to hot weather. The alerts are colour-coded to reflect the severity and likelihood of negative health impacts occurring and are similar to the cold-health alerts issued over winter. Register to receive heat-health alerts by email from UKHSA.

The alert level starts at ‘green’, which means that current conditions are likely to have minimal impact on health. Colleagues should conduct business as usual and engage in summer planning and preparedness activities.

Key groups at risk from hot weather

(For details, see Section 4.2 of Supporting Evidence of the AHWP)

older people (aged 65 years and over)
babies and young children (particularly those aged 5 years and under)
people with health conditions, including: heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, mobility problems or a mental health condition
pregnant women (potential risk of preterm birth)
people on certain medications that potentially affect heart or kidney function, cognition, or ability to sweat
people who are already ill and dehydrated (for example, from diarrhoea and vomiting)
people who experience alcohol or drug dependence
people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves
people who are physically active and spend a lot of time outside
people who work in jobs that require manual labour or extensive time outside
people experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as sofa surfers or those living in hostels.