Yeovil Hospital has strongly denied allegations that thermometers were removed during last weekend’s heatwave to hide just how hot conditions had become for patients. A whistleblower claimed that when temperatures on a ward reached 30.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday, May 24, hospital managers supposedly took away the thermometers.
The heatwave swept across the region, pushing temperatures in parts of Somerset as high as 32 degrees Celsius. Nationally, May recorded record-breaking highs, with London exceeding 34 degrees on both Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27.
The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees Yeovil Hospital, stated they have no knowledge of any temperature sensors being removed from wards. They emphasized that significant efforts have been made to improve cooling throughout the hospital.
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A trust spokesperson commented: “Over the past year, we have increased cooling units across Yeovil Hospital, including in our Women’s Hospital, where all birthing rooms now have integrated heating and cooling systems. We recently acquired 30 new mobile cooling units to supplement the existing 15 units, reducing our need to hire additional equipment. These were distributed across areas on Friday, May 22, and over the weekend by our estates and facilities team.”
They added, “We continually monitor temperatures closely to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff throughout the year.”
Heatwaves pose health risks even indoors, notably for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals on antidepressants, those with substance use issues, and people with chronic health conditions.
To cope with excessive indoor heat, experts recommend closing curtains, opening windows when outside temperatures are lower, and using electric fans if indoor temperatures remain under 35 degrees Celsius.