Devon GP urges people to stay cool in hot weather as heatwave level is raised

A GP from Devon has urged people to stay cool in the hot weather and to look after elderly and vulnerable friends and neighbours as the Met Office today (Thursday 18 July) raised the heatwave level for Devon up to category three.

This means there is a 90 per cent probability of heatwave conditions between 0900 on Thursday and 2100 on Friday in Devon.

Recent high temperatures across Devon are set to continue into next week and with most schools breaking up for the summer tomorrow many local people and those who travel from afar are likely to flock to Devon’s beaches to enjoy the sunshine.

Dr Dafydd Jones, a GP from Plymouth and member of the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are expecting an influx of people into the area over the next few weeks so we want to make sure that they stay safe in the sun and heat.

“This is especially important for individuals with long term conditions such as heart and lung disease whose conditions are at particular risk of deteriorating in the heat.

“Babies and young children are also especially at risk of dehydration during long periods of hot weather.

“People should drink plenty of water. It is particularly important that young children are kept out of the sun, in cool surroundings, and are given plenty of fluids to drink.

“Many prescription medicines can reduce your tolerance of heat. You should keep taking your medicines, but take extra care to keep cool.”

The NHS has issued a list of three main danger symptoms to watch out for in a heatwave:
• feeling faint and dizzy
• shortness of breath
• vomiting or increasing confusion.

Dr Jones continued:

“In a heatwave the body can overheat and dehydrate, leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

“Symptoms include headaches, nausea, an intense thirst, sleepiness, hot red and dry skin, a sudden rise in temperature, confusion, convulsions and a loss of consciousness.”

Dr Prue Mitchell, a GP from Exmouth, said:

“Making sure you use at least sun factor protection 15 sunscreen is also important. There are almost 250 cases of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, and 40 related deaths every year in Devon. The county has some of the highest rates of melanoma in the country.”

If the hot weather persists, the advice from the local NHS is:

• Try to plan your day in a way that allows you to stay out of the heat
Protect your skin from sunburn and skin cancer by using a high factor suncream.

• If you can, avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11am - 3pm). If you must go out, stay in the shade. Wear a hat and light loose fitting clothes, preferably cotton. If you will be outside for some time, take plenty of water with you.

• Take cool showers or baths and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, particularly your face and the back of your neck.

• Eat as you normally would. Try to eat more cold food, particularly salads and fruit, which contain water.

• Look after babies, children and older people. They are much more prone to the effects of heat. If you have older relatives or neighbours you can help simply by checking on them if possible every day, and reminding them to drink plenty and often. They should have a mixture of drinks including fruit juice and water. Help them to keep their house as cool as possible, drawing curtains during the day, ensuring ventilation at night or using a fan if necessary.

• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.

Further information is available:

• Check the weather forecast and any high temperature warnings at www.metoffice.gov.uk

• Call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 if you have an urgent health concern or visit www.nhs.uk

• Advice on sun protection from www.cancerresearchuk.org/sunsmart