Hospital wards in England experienced average temperatures of 31.9C in July, surpassing the 28C limit recommended by NHS England for patient and staff safety. This data was disclosed by 33 NHS trusts under freedom of information laws.
This summer, hospitals have recorded temperatures reaching almost 42C. The Northern Care Alliance NHS foundation trust, which operates four hospitals in Greater Manchester, registered a temperature of 41.8C during last month's heatwave, which is 14C above the recommended safe maximum.
The intense heat has led to the cancellation of some surgeries, as cooling units in operating theatres have stopped working. Some patients have also cancelled their own surgeries due to the heat making travel difficult.
Hospitals and GP surgeries are offering earlier or later appointments for frail elderly patients to help them attend. Ambulance services are also facing challenges in maintaining the correct temperature for some medications in their vehicles.