Heat health guidance for professionals

Alert levels

• Yellow alert: the heat is unlikely to impact most people; however, those who are particularly vulnerable (e.g. the elderly with multiple health conditions and on multiple medications) are likely to struggle to cope, and action within the health and social care sector is required. 
• Amber alert: there is the potential for the whole population to be at risk. The expected impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, and other sectors may also start to observe impacts. 
• Red alert: there is significant risk to life for even the healthy population. Several impacts are expected across all sectors. 

Guidance for managers and frontline workers

The downloadable guidance summarises the suggested actions that managers and professionals should consider when there is a Yellow, Amber, or Red heat-health alert.

• Children and young people guidance: suggested actions that managers and frontline workers supporting children and young people should consider during a heat alert. It is intended for managers in schools or early years settings, and frontline staff, volunteers, parents, or carers looking after children in schools or early years settings.
• Healthcare guidance: suggested actions that providers of healthcare should consider during a heat alert. It is intended for managers and frontline staff working in hospitals or community health services, including GP practices.
• Guidance for supporting people experiencing homelessness: suggested actions that providers of services should consider during a heat alert. It is intended for managers and frontline workers of services supporting people experiencing homelessness.
• Social care guidance: suggested actions that providers of social care should consider during a heat alert. It is intended for managers and frontline staff working in social care, care homes, and other residential settings.