Anticipated temperatures may reach as high as 38 degrees
In the midst of a scorching heatwave, Germany is experiencing temperatures well over 30 degrees, marking the return of summer for many with vacation or school holidays. However, the heatwave has raised concerns about the lack of adequate heat protection in hospitals and nursing homes, leaving vulnerable patients and employees exposed.
The German Hospital Federation (DKG) has called for a multi-year investment program of approximately 31 billion euros to make healthcare institutions more climate resilient and to retrofit medical and nursing facilities with necessary cooling measures before the end of 2025. This investment is crucial, as many hospitals and nursing homes currently lack adequate air conditioning or effective cooling systems.
The German Foundation for Patient Protection is dissatisfied with the current state of heat protection in clinics and nursing homes. They argue that the government and the states are not taking heat protection in the 1,600 clinics and 12,000 nursing homes seriously.
The heat protection plans, which have been adopted or prepared, end where patient safety costs money, according to the German Foundation for Patient Protection. To address this issue, the government has made it legally binding for institutions to conduct climate risk assessments and implement adaptive measures to cope with extremes such as high heat, heavy rain, and flooding.
The government introduced a heat action plan in 2023 to prevent excess mortality from high temperatures, which includes recommendations for health, climate, and environment coordination across ministries. Protection measures specifically recommended include installing or upgrading air conditioning and cooling technologies in hospitals and care homes, developing tailored heat protection plans that consider the specific building environment and patient needs, and monitoring heat stress in urban areas to identify hotspots and focus adaptation efforts.
Experts stress the importance of heat-health action plans that trigger early responses and protect vulnerable populations, to reduce hospital overload and heat-related deaths. They also recommend ensuring adequate hydration, avoiding exposure to hot environments, and protecting vulnerable groups like the elderly and chronically ill during heat episodes.
The DWD is warning of severe heat stress reaching the North German lowlands on Wednesday and the east on Thursday. On Tuesday, temperatures were particularly challenging in Baden-Württemberg, with Müllheim reporting 35.4 degrees, Rheinfelden 34.8 degrees, and Trier-Zewen 34.3 degrees. For Wednesday, the DWD expects peak temperatures of around 37 degrees across Germany, with slightly cooler temperatures at the coast and in coastal areas.
Difficult days lie ahead for the over 300,000 hospital patients and 800,000 nursing home residents, according to the German Foundation for Patient Protection. They emphasise the urgent need for improved cooling infrastructure, climate risk assessments, and binding investment commitments to adapt healthcare facilities to rising temperatures.
In summary, current recommendations in Germany call for significant financial investment, regulatory enforcement of climate risk planning, and implementation of cooling and protective measures in hospitals and nursing homes to effectively manage health risks of heatwaves. The heatwave has not yet peaked, and it is crucial that these measures are implemented promptly to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
- The elderly, suffering from various medical conditions, are at risk during heatwaves in nursing homes that lack adequate cooling systems due to insufficient investment in heat protection measures.
- It has been suggested that therapies and treatments could benefit from the integration of environmental science, particularly in developing climate-resilient solutions for healthcare facilities, to better address issues such as heatwaves.
- As the environment continues to change due to climate change, it is essential to consider the impact on the health and wellness of vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, and to invest in health infrastructure that offers protection from extreme temperatures.
- CBD, known for its potential health benefits, could potentially play a role in managing heat stress, but more research is needed in this area, particularly within the context of environmental science and medical-conditions related to heat exposure.
