During one of the hottest summers Britain has ever recorded, care workers discovered dementia patients wearing coats and with heating still switched on despite soaring temperatures. Suzanne Westhead, director of adult social care at Bath and North East Somerset Council, described the period as their ‘busiest summer ever’ in 2026.
Between May and August, the UK experienced five separate heatwaves, setting new records for high temperatures. These conditions proved particularly hazardous for vulnerable individuals receiving care, particularly those with dementia who struggle to regulate their body heat. Ms Westhead explained that some patients were found wearing jackets or coats indoors, and in some cases, had their heating on.
The council reported several unexpected deaths during the summer months, especially early in the season. Ms Westhead shared these concerns at a recent meeting of the council’s health and wellbeing board, a key partnership involving councillors, local NHS leaders, charities, and emergency services, aimed at coordinating community health and safety responses.
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Traditionally focused on “winter planning” to manage increased demands in colder months, the board is now considering introducing “summer planning” measures to better prepare for extreme heat events. Councillor Paul May, chair of the board, emphasised the need for improved future preparation, saying, ‘I think we could probably do it better in the future if we had the opportunity to plan.’
Representing Avon Fire & Rescue Service, Area Manager Steve Quinton highlighted that this summer was among the busiest in his nearly three-decade career. He expressed concern that such demanding periods may become more common, stating, ‘It does worry me that this will become the norm.’
Quinton noted that while the overall increase in incidents was moderate, the resource demands caused by wildfires were significant. One notable incident was the major wildfire in Weston-super-Mare on 18 August, which required approximately 75 firefighters, 14 fire engines, and numerous specialist units, such as high reach ladders and water bowsers.
He added that large wildfires often require crews to stay on-site for extended hours to fully contain the blaze, extinguish hotspots, and prevent reignition, thereby reducing the availability of resources for other emergencies during these critical periods.