NHS nurses report maggots and worsening patient outcomes amid record heatwaves
A survey of 2,471 nurses for the Royal College of Nursing found that extreme summer temperatures caused severe patient deterioration, including maggot-infested wounds, across NHS hospitals.
A recent Royal College of Nursing survey of 2,471 nurses revealed that the UK’s unprecedented summer heatwaves created “suffocating” environments on NHS wards, with temperatures soaring to 44°C in a Yorkshire children’s unit. Staff reported patients fainting, dehydration, slower wound healing and increased respiratory distress, especially among those with heart failure or respiratory conditions. In a South West hospital, a palliative-care patient’s chronic ulcer attracted flies and maggots during the heat.
Nurses also noted that newborns and chemotherapy patients suffered severe discomfort due to lack of air-conditioning. The findings prompted the RCN to call for urgent government investment in cooling systems for hospitals, care homes and other health settings to prevent further harm. The Department of Health has been asked to comment.
Why it matters
Extreme heat is compromising patient safety in NHS hospitals, highlighting urgent infrastructure needs.
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