Ministers have been called to convene a second emergency meeting of Cobra in three days to tackle how to protect an NHS that is “operating on the brink” during this week’s heat wave. The Lib Dems’ call came as the Met Office extended a yellow alert for extreme heat for another 24 hours until midnight next Tuesday, warning that severe conditions are likely to cause serious illness and put lives at risk. The national weather forecaster now believes there is a one in five chance Britain will record its hottest temperature ever during this period, with some weather models even suggesting the extreme heat could reach 40C. Officials have not ruled out declaring the first national heatwave emergency, with forecasters warning that the extreme conditions mean health effects could be felt by those not normally considered vulnerable to the heat. The unrelenting hot weather has left the NHS struggling to cope, with England’s 10 ambulance services on the highest level of alert, while health leaders warn that “ill-equipped” hospital buildings are struggling to properly store medicines.

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Ministers have urged a second meeting of Cobra to tackle heat stress on the NHS

Ministers have been called to convene a Cobra meeting today to tackle how to protect the NHS from extreme heat. Speaking in the Commons, Lib Dem health spokeswoman Daisy Cooper called for the second emergency weather meeting in three days, which she said was necessary “to protect patients and paramedics who actually work on the edge of the cliff”. Health Secretary Maria Caulfield said demand on the health service was “at levels we would normally see in winter”, adding: “We have a heat wave plan published earlier this year, we are confident and we are working with the whole of the NHS. trust to make sure they have the support they need and all the ambulances they trust too.” Ms Caulfield later added: “These are the pressures that we would normally expect to see in the winter and we are seeing them in the summer months which is usually their down time and is extremely worrying for the coming months as we go forward. winter. The minister said she would meet with all 11 ambulance trusts – which are on the highest level of alert – in the coming days. Andy Gregory 13 July 2022 15:16 1657719729

London mayor activates severe weather scheme to support rough sleepers

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a severe weather emergency response – usually triggered by freezing temperatures – in the capital to support rough sleepers struggling to stay safe during the heatwave. City Hall has written to all London boroughs and sleep services to ask them to carry out welfare checks on vulnerable people and provide sunscreen, water and information about staying cool and staying safe in high temperatures. “This ongoing heat wave could be dangerous for anyone, but for people who sleep rough, there are additional risks,” Khan said. “Across the capital, we are taking action to help those forced to sleep rough in these extremely hot temperatures by increasing welfare checks, providing plenty of water and sunscreen and ensuring people sleeping rough know where to access cool spaces and fountains”. Andy Gregory 13 July 2022 14:42 1657717637

Here are some photojournalist images of Lindley Wood Reservoir, near Otley, during today’s warm weather: (REUTERS/Lee Smith) (REUTERS/Lee Smith) (REUTERS/Lee Smith) Andy Gregory 13 July 2022 14:07 1657715690

What is a national heat emergency and what might it look like?

Government officials are meeting regularly to assess the impact of the current heat and have not ruled out declaring the first national heat emergency. Our climate correspondent Saphora Smith takes a look at what we could expect if a national emergency is called:

Everything you need to know about the national heat emergency and what it might look like

Officials have said a national heatwave emergency means illness and death could occur among the healthy and the healthy, as well as among the most vulnerable groups. Andy Gregory 13 July 2022 13:34 1657713590

Londoners told to limit water consumption to prevent shortages

Thames Water has urged Londoners to limit water consumption where possible to avoid shortages. “During heatwaves, water use can often skyrocket, with hoses and sprinklers watering gardens and swimming pools full,” said Andrew Tucker, the utility’s director of water demand reduction. “This makes it even more important to be mindful of water use to ensure there is enough for everyone.” “While we do not currently expect to impose any restrictions on water use this summer, it is important that households remain responsible with their use and help us limit the pressure on our resources.” Thames Water said more than 271,000 customers are on the priority services register who would struggle to cope if their home water supply was cut off. The company advises people to take shorter showers, reduce the use of garden hoses and turn off taps when brushing your teeth. Andy GregoryJuly 13, 2022 12:59 p.m 1657713027

Event: Panel of experts to discuss the true scale of the NHS crisis

The current heatwave is piling pressure on an NHS already in crisis. The Independent is hosting a free virtual event where a panel of experts will discuss the future at 6.30pm. this afternoon. Health Correspondent Rebecca Thomas will host the panel including: Senior News Correspondent Samuel Lovett; Sarah Tilsed, head of patient engagement at the Patients’ Union. Dr Adrian Boyle, emergency consultant and the next president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. and Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation. You can get your tickets here:

Panel of experts to discuss the true scale of the NHS crisis

Get your free ticket for our virtual event – Point of Failure: Exposing the true scale of the NHS crisis Andy Gregory July 13, 2022 12:50 p.m 1657711631

Met Office revises record heat forecast from 30% chance to 20%

Our climate correspondent Saphora Smith reports: The Met Office has now said it believes it is less likely that the UK will record its hottest temperature ever on Sunday. A meteorologist for the Met Office told the Independent they had revised their forecast to about a one in five chance of temperatures topping the record high of 38.7 degrees in 2019. However, they are forecasting temperatures to reach the mid to high 30s. The new forecast is down from Monday’s estimate that the chance of breaking the record was 30 percent. Andy Gregory 13 July 2022 12:27 1657710710

The impending heat is a result of the warm air currently over France

Extreme heat is on its way this weekend as warm air flows into the UK from the continent. “What’s happening as we go into the weekend is that high pressure is concentrating in the east of the UK and it’s allowing a southerly air flow to get carried away, the very warm air that’s over France at the moment, and drag it north towards the UK over the weekend, maybe more on Sunday and Monday,” Met Office forecaster Matthew Box said. Heatwaves have become hotter, longer and more frequent due to climate change and experts have warned of the need for UK homes and cities to adapt to a future of hotter summer heat. Andy Gregory 13 July 2022 12:11 1657708970

The government has been called on to introduce a maximum working temperature to help protect workers from fatigue, infection, heatstroke and death. A total of 37 MPs signed an early motion (EDM), tabled in the House of Commons, to call for a legislative guarantee of a limit of 30C in most workplaces or 27C for those doing strenuous work. Employers would have a legal obligation to introduce “effective control measures”, such as installing ventilation or moving staff away from windows and heat sources, according to the proposals. EDMs allow MPs to express an opinion, publicize a cause or support a position. It is rare that EDM is discussed. Andy Gregory July 13, 2022 11:42 am 1657706810

In pictures: South East England sweltering in heat

Here are some images depicting the conditions in the southeast yesterday: A man carries a fan as he walks through London (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) Cracked earth seen as warm weather continues, in Parliament Square (REUTERS/Toby Melville) A train passes through heat fog on a railway line near Ashford in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire) Andy Gregory July 13, 2022 11:06 am