The Ultimate Heatwave Toolkit

With summer officially starting on the 21 June, care providers will once again need to ensure people in their care remain safe in the event of hot weather.

It is really important that you have an effective plan. Severe heat is a real danger to older and disabled people living in care homes. In the UK there are over 2,000 heat related deaths per year and some of the most vulnerable are those over 75 and those who live on their own or in care homes.

To help you plan, QCS has created The Ultimate Heatwave Toolkit. In this toolkit, you will find:

– A Heatwave Checklist to aid you in planning for a heatwave and help you to keep your residents cool and safe.

– A Top Tips Heatstroke Poster to remind your staff of the symptoms, how to prevent heatstroke and the first aid they could carry out if symptoms are seen.

Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

The checklist and poster will support you in meeting the fundamental standards that cover the management of a service, including Regulation 12 and Regulation 14. Regulation 12 is to prevent people from receiving unsafe care and treatment and prevent avoidable harm or risk of harm. Providers must assess the risks to people’s health and safety during any care or treatment and make sure that staff have the qualifications, competence, skills and experience to keep people safe.

Regulation 14 states where food and/or drink are provided for people who use services, they must have a choice that meets their needs and preferences as far as is reasonably practical. Providers must make sure that they assess each person’s nutritional and hydration needs to support their wellbeing and quality of life. This includes when there is no expected cure for an illness. Irrespective of whether it is a hot summer day or freezing cold in the middle of winter, ensuring good hydration levels is essential.