Great Western Hospital advises on heatstroke

With the UK hitting record temperatures Great Western Hospital bosses are advising people on how to staysafe.

In the online appeal they remind the public of the dangers and to protect yourself and others from too much sun or heat.

They public are advised to carry water when travelling and to think of those, such as young children or older people, who may feel the heat more acutely than others.

Dr Steve Haig, Consultant Emergency Physician and Deputy Medical Director, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Please be sensible when out in the sun, by wearing sun cream, sitting in shade and staying hydrated with lots of water.

“This will help to reduce your risks of sun-related health conditions, such as heat stroke or sunburn, and will also help to reduce the number of people needing to attend hospital.”

In response to the conditions the trust have also installed an additional 70 air conditioning units in clinical spaces.

The main signs of heat related illness are:

• Heat exhaustion: you will feel very hot and start losing water or salt from your body. Symptoms include feeling weak, faint or sick, muscle cramps, headaches, excessive sweating and thirst.
• Heatstroke is less common but is more serious as the body is no longer able to cool itself the temperature becomes dangerously high. If untreated, symptoms may include confusion, seizures and in some cases a loss of consciousness.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, contact NHS 111 who can advise you of the right healthcare setting for your needs.