GPs told to shut surgeries above 30C to avoid making ‘errors’ and risking patients

G8CYJD Doctors consulting room. England. UK Credit: Alamy GP surgeries could close if thermostats reach 30C to protect patients and staff from extreme heat, medical leaders warn. The Royal College of GPs told family doctors to draw up heatwave plans and run drills to practise coping with hot weather. It suggests having an extreme heat policy that could include relaxing uniform rules, opening earlier and giving staff regular mini-breaks. In the worst scenarios they could move to a different building or close for the day, it said. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! The heatwave preparedness guide issued by the RCGP in June said: “Use thermometers to check room temperatures frequently. “For comfort, temperatures should be below 26 degrees Celsius but consider closing or relocating if temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius inside.” It added: “The negative effects of heat can range from heat cramps, sunburn, and heat rash to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. “Heatstroke can be fatal and requires rapid recognition and treatment. “High indoor temperatures can reduce productivity, increase the likelihood of errors, and lead to heat stress.” The RCGP is a membership organisation of more than 50,000 doctors. Most read in Health England is in the grip of its fourth heatwave of 2026 with large parts of the country now officially in a drought. The UK Health Security Agency said the number of excess deaths caused by hot weather is likely to break the record, with 2,877 already so far this year. At least 31 days this summer have had temperatures higher than 30C. The RCGP said medics should check on high-risk patients and remind people to drink more water when the weather is hot. It advised docs to keep air conditioning between 22C and 24C and to use fans and close curtains to keep temperatures down indoors. It said: “Heatwaves in the UK are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration as a result of climate change.” Some GP practices and laboratories have reportedly had to cancel blood tests due to the current warm weather. Earlier this month, campaign organisation Doctors Association UK urged the Department of Health to bring in a maximum working temperature for NHS clinics. Its survey found the mercury hit a shocking 45C in one practice, with an average of 33C across 367 surveyed in a heatwave in June. Only five per cent said they had fully functioning air con. DAUK’s Dr Matt Lee said: “Healthcare professionals across the country will again face brutal working conditions and patients will be at risk. “We urge the government to introduce a maximum working temperature and invest in hospital infrastructure to make our healthcare facilities safe for staff and patients.” HEATWAVE DEATHS SET FOR RECORD HIGH The UK Health Security Agency said the number of excess deaths caused by hot weather is likely to break the record, with 2,877 already so far this year. At least 31 days this summer have had temperatures higher than 30C and there have been four heatwaves. Early-look UKHSA figures show there were 753 heat-related deaths in May and 2,124 in June. The agency said the total will increase as the year goes on. It is already higher than the 1,504 recorded over the entire of summer 2025. The record for one year is 2,985, set in 2022. Dr Ross Thompson, public health scientist at the UKHSA, said: “These figures highlight the significant danger that very hot weather can pose to people’s health. “They suggest that, if we experience more periods of hot weather this summer, we could see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record.” Comment now