Heat-health alert for West Midlands

Last updated on Saturday, 11 July 2026 at 12:00pm

Amber Heat-health alert has been issued

Alert is in effect from 12 July 2026 at 09:00am to 15 July 2026 at 09:00pm

Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including:

a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups
likely increased demand on all health and social care services
internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment
the heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services
indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
issues managing medicines
staffing issues due to external factors (for example, affecting transport)
increased demand for power exceeding capacity
other sectors starting to observe impacts (for example, travel delays)
water‑related incidents may increase, including risks from cold‑water shock and drowning