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Originator: CMO Messaging

From: CMO Messaging

Issue date: 09-Jun-2021 09:32:19

This alert has been issued to:
  • Other contacts
  • Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • NHS Regional Offices
  • NHS Foundation Trusts (England) - Medical Director
  • NHS Foundation Trusts (England) - Chief Executive
  • Social Care Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Special Health Authorities
  • NHS Trusts (England) - Medical Director
  • CMO Urgent Messages - Non-NHS Recipients on Public Health Link
  • Territorial CMOs in Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales
  • Regional Directors of Public Health
  • Consultants in Communicable Diseases
  • CMO Urgent Messages - Recipients on Public Health Link
  • Director of Public Health
  • NHS Trusts (England) - Chief Executive
  • GP - Locum
  • NHS 111 and Out of hours providers
  • GP Practices
  • Community Pharmacy
  • Primary Care Networks
  • GP Practices 1

Action category: Action

Title: Personal protective equipment and heat: risk of heat stress

Broadcast content:

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in warm/hot environments increases the risk of heat stress. This occurs when the body is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Heat stress can cause heat exhaustion and lead to heat stroke if the person is unable to cool down.

Measures to control the temperature of clinical environments and enable staff to make behavioural adaptations to stay cool and well hydrated should be made. Staff may require more frequent breaks and the frequency of PPE changes may increase, with a resulting increase in demand.

The attachment contains further information and actions.




Additional information: NHS England and NHS Improvement Regional Offices: please cascade this alert to Community Pharmacy, Dental and Optometry contractors.

Alert reference: CEM/CMO/2021/012

Attachments:

Contact our helpdesk

Email: safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency