A&E doctors are reporting an increase in falls among elderly people during periods of extreme heat. Dr Adrian Boyle, an A&E consultant at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, noted that elderly individuals can become light-headed and dizzy, leading to falls and serious injuries such as broken bones.
Dr Boyle explained that some elderly people taking diuretics or blood pressure medication may feel light-headed more quickly in hot weather. He described cases where falls due to heat have resulted in multiple broken ribs, a wrist, and a lower leg, with recovery potentially taking months.
The UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Thursday, reaching 38.1C (100.6F). Estimates from the UK Health Security Agency indicate that the first two heatwaves of this summer, in May and June, were associated with 2,877 deaths. This figure is almost double the 1,504 heat-related deaths recorded in the whole of 2025.
NHS England figures released on Thursday also linked July's two heatwaves to a record 2.5 million A&E attendances that month. The heat exacerbated existing conditions like breathing problems and led to other issues such as kidney failure due to dehydration in older people.
Hospital staff are also facing challenges, with doctors wearing full personal protective equipment for infectious diseases reporting feeling sick due to the heat and lack of air circulation. A nurse at a London hospital reported patients fighting over limited fans and expressed a need for lighter uniforms and more air conditioning.