Doc’s warning: NHS is feeling the heat amid rising temperatures

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 9, 2026

Medical staff in Scotland report that rising summer temperatures and heatwaves are increasingly straining the NHS, particularly affecting vulnerable elderly patients with heat-related illnesses. This trend highlights the urgent need for healthcare systems to prepare for more frequent and intense heat events linked to climate change, as heat-related deaths have already doubled compared to last year.

Rising temperatures in Scotland are placing increasing pressure on the NHS, according to medical staff on the front lines. Sandy Robertson, an emergency department doctor at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, highlighted the impact of recent heatwaves on vulnerable populations, particularly older adults.

Although Scotland's summer temperatures have not reached the extreme highs seen in parts of England, the mercury climbed to 31.2 degrees Celsius during June’s heatwave. This follows a trend of escalating heat events, with 2025 recorded as Scotland’s hottest year on record and a peak temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius reached in 2022. Additionally, last month saw significant water shortages in the country’s rivers due to prolonged dry spells.

Robertson noted that many elderly patients, especially those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. “On the really hot days, I have seen quite a lot of older people collapsing in their gardens,” he said. He also pointed out that a significant portion of the population takes medications—such as antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and Parkinson’s treatments—that can increase vulnerability to heat effects.

He explained the phenomenon known in medical terms as “death harvesting,” where heat acts as a trigger to accelerate fatal outcomes like heart attacks and strokes, which might have otherwise occurred in the following weeks or months.

Across the UK, heat-related mortality continues to rise. Data from May and June 2026 indicate an estimated 2,877 deaths linked to heatwaves, which is already double the total recorded in the same period last year, marking the summer as the deadliest on record so far.

Having worked at NHS Fife for four years, Robertson emphasized the changing climate patterns that are manifesting in more frequent and intense hot summers. “We have had hotter summers before, but now they are increasing in frequency and intensity. There’s a clear pattern, and I think people are beginning to notice,” he said. Unlike in previous years, when winter posed the primary challenge for healthcare workers, colleagues are now also bracing for the demands of extreme heat.

The growing strain on emergency services underscores concerns about the health impacts of climate change, prompting calls for greater preparedness and public awareness as Scotland faces hotter and drier conditions in the years ahead.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.