NHS cancels blood tests after net zero curbs on air conditioning

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

The NHS has had to cancel some blood tests during recent heatwaves because air conditioning restrictions, aimed at meeting net zero climate goals, have made it difficult to maintain proper storage temperatures for samples in GP practices. This highlights the challenge of balancing environmental targets with patient safety, as healthcare providers seek solutions to preserve test accuracy amid rising temperatures.

The National Health Service (NHS) has been compelled to cancel some blood tests during recent summer heatwaves due to restrictions on air conditioning aimed at meeting net zero climate targets. Several regions in the United Kingdom have endured their fourth heatwave of the year, with record-high temperatures causing difficulties in maintaining the proper environment for medical equipment and sample storage in general practitioner (GP) practices.

Blood samples are vulnerable to degradation when exposed to excessive heat, which increases the risk of inaccurate test results, including false positives and negatives. NHS guidelines recommend that blood samples be stored at room temperature between 15°C and 25°C, with testing ideally conducted within 24 hours, and refrigeration used overnight if necessary.

However, NHS net zero policies advise minimizing mechanical cooling systems to reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. The 2023 NHS Net Zero Building Standard instructs that mechanical air conditioning should only be installed where passive cooling measures, such as improved insulation and natural ventilation, prove insufficient and where air conditioning is essential for safe patient care.

Many GP surgeries operate out of aging, concrete buildings from the 20th century that are not easily retrofitted with air conditioning systems. Limited funding and carbon reduction targets compound these challenges. As a result, some surgeries have struggled to maintain temperatures below the safe threshold for sample storage, leading to appointment cancellations and the need for patients to repeat tests after samples were compromised by heat exposure.

An NHS spokesperson clarified that NHS guidance does not prohibit the use of air conditioning when it is necessary to provide safe care, underscoring that decisions on cooling measures depend on clinical requirements and building capabilities.

Dr. Munro Stewart, vice president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, noted that many GP practices were not designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. He highlighted the importance of maintaining appropriate storage conditions for diagnostics and acknowledged the difficulties faced by some practices in keeping samples cool without reliable air conditioning.

In response to the issue, Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, criticized the restrictions on air conditioning, describing them as impractical and advocating for policy changes to facilitate greater use of air conditioning in homes and healthcare settings to manage rising temperatures.

This situation illustrates the complex balance between achieving environmental targets and maintaining the integrity of healthcare services amid increasing climate volatility. NHS officials and healthcare providers continue to explore ways to ensure patient safety while adhering to sustainability commitments.

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.