Calls have emerged for improved protections for ambulance workers operating during heatwaves amid concerns over their safety and well-being. The trade union Unison has highlighted that many emergency personnel are expected to work in conditions that are detrimental to their health, including in ambulances without functioning air conditioning and with limited access to drinking water and toilets.

Paramedics have reported being dispatched in vehicles subjected to “stifling heat” and spending extended periods at hospitals where temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Staff also describe physical and mental exhaustion caused by treating patients in overheated private homes and care facilities. In addition, some ambulance workers are required to work outside in direct sunlight at major incidents such as road traffic collisions, often while wearing heavy uniforms that are not designed for hot weather conditions.

While Unison acknowledged that particularly vulnerable groups, including elderly patients, are suffering from dehydration and heat-related illnesses during such periods, the union stressed that the demands for better working conditions could also lead to longer waits for emergency care. To address these challenges, Unison has called on NHS trusts to develop comprehensive summer plans that guarantee hydration and recovery breaks for staff, provide reliable access to drinking water, and implement clear policies to take vehicles out of service if air conditioning fails.

The union also recommended the introduction of seasonal uniform options, such as lighter clothing, shorts for staff who choose to wear them, and sun hats. Furthermore, it supports establishing a maximum working temperature during heatwaves, citing previous calls from the Trades Union Congress for a cap around 30 degrees Celsius, or 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) for strenuous work.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has urged NHS trusts to prepare for increased demand on emergency services linked to high temperatures. She emphasized that the healthcare system needs to manage summer pressures with the same level of preparedness as it does winter surges.

Unison's national ambulance officer, Sharan Bandesha, commented that extreme heat not only creates a surge in demand for emergency care but also places crews in difficult situations where they must operate in overheated vehicles, patient homes, and care settings lacking adequate cooling.

The debate underscores the challenge of balancing staff safety against patient care needs during increasingly frequent and intense heat events, with stakeholders urging health services to adapt policies and infrastructure to protect both workers and the public.