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Publication type: General
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The Mayor is concerned about the impacts of hot summers on older people. According to Public Health England (PHE) the three heatwaves in 2019 resulted in over 230 excess deaths across London. In one week in August 2019 (23-29 Aug) there were 108 excess deaths of people of 65 or older.
Older people, especially those who are frail, have chronic medical conditions and a limited ability to adapt their behaviours and/or environments quickly to stay cool are less able to cope with higher temperatures. Evidence showed that the older population residing in care homes are at the highest risk of heat-related premature death.
Work was carried out by the Mayor, University College London (UCL) and Oxford Brooks on five London care homes for the elderly. The reports provide simple recommendations so that care homes for the elderly can plan for increasing temperatures.
The audit results and findings aim to provide consideration by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to include the risk of overheating due to the impact of climate change in their inspection assessment of care homes.
Care Home Overheating Audit - Exec Summary