NHS heat related deaths spark cooling debate

New data shows almost 1,000 heat related deaths in care homes and hospitals, prompting calls to heatproof the NHS with stricter cooling rules.

Air conditioning demand grows amid NHS heat deaths

New data from the House of Commons Library shows nearly 1,000 excess deaths linked to heat last year across hospitals, care homes and private homes. The Liberal Democrats are pressing the government to heatproof the NHS by mandating air conditioning in care homes and creating a task force to ensure cool wards in hospitals.

The figures break down to 496 deaths in care settings and 473 in hospitals in 2024, with more than 350 deaths occurring at home. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said the reporting relates to deaths with complications attributed to heat, not deaths caused directly by excess heat in NHS buildings, and defended the data as a climate risk rather than an in building heat problem.

The call for cooling upgrades exposes a funding dilemma. Upgrading aging NHS facilities and care homes will require upfront spending and ongoing maintenance, yet the potential saving in lives and reduced strain during heatwaves could justify the cost. Political support will hinge on whether parties can frame cooling as a health and economic priority rather than a dispute over budgets.

Beyond buildings, the idea of cool hubs and guaranteed cool wards moves climate resilience into a broader social program. The challenge is turning policy talk into timely action, securing funding, and coordinating between health and social care bodies while avoiding public backlash if promises lag.

Highlights

Officials must turn data into durable protections that survive political cycles.