During the exceptionally hot summer of 2026, some dementia sufferers were found wearing coats and had heating on in their homes, despite the soaring temperatures that swept Britain. Suzanne Westhead, director of adult social care at Bath and North East Somerset Council, described the period as their ‘busiest summer ever’, highlighting the unique challenges faced by care providers during the unprecedented weather.
Between May and August, the UK endured five separate heatwaves, setting new national temperature records. These extreme conditions posed significant risks, particularly to vulnerable individuals reliant on social care. Council care workers reported that several dementia patients struggled to regulate their body temperature, with some wearing jackets or coats and, in some cases, even keeping heating turned on, behaviours likely linked to their condition rather than the environment.
Ms Westhead also noted a rise in unexpected deaths during the summer months, especially earlier in the season. She shared these observations at a meeting of the council’s health and wellbeing board-a key group composed of local councillors, NHS leaders, charity representatives, and emergency services officials. This board is responsible for coordinating multi-agency strategies, traditionally focused on winter planning to manage increased demand and pressures from cold weather.
READ MORE: Billy Rowley anticipates “toe-to-toe battle” as Yeovil Town prepare to host AFC Fylde
READ MORE: Smooth resurfacing prompts residents' plea to curb speeding on Ewart Road
In light of the heatwave challenges, the board is now considering developing plans specifically for summer conditions. Councillor Paul May, chair of the board representing Publow with Whitchurch, expressed optimism about future preparedness, stating, “I think we could probably do it better in the future if we had the opportunity to plan.”
Emergency services also faced significant strain. Avon Fire & Rescue Service area manager Steve Quinton shared his concerns, referencing his nearly 30 years of experience. He described the past months as “one of the busiest periods of time I have ever seen”. Although the report to the committee indicated that the overall increase in incidents was relatively modest, wildfires demanded extensive resources. Notably, a large wildfire in Weston-super-Mare on 18 August required around 75 firefighters, 14 fire engines, and multiple specialist appliances, including high-reach ladders, water bowsers, and command units.
Quinton emphasised the impact of such incidents on service availability: “A large wildfire may require crews to remain at the scene for several hours to contain the fire, extinguish hotspots and prevent reignition. This can reduce the number of resources immediately available to respond to other emergencies.” He voiced concern that such conditions might become increasingly common, underlining the importance of adapting emergency response and care strategies to cope with future extreme weather events.
These developments underscore the complexity of supporting vulnerable populations and emergency services amid climate-related challenges and highlight the need for integrated summer preparedness alongside traditional winter planning.