THE heatwave continues to cause widespread disruption in Worcestershire after five consecutive days of weather warnings as medics try to reduce pressure on hospitals.
Multiple schools were closed across Worcestershire on Friday following a further extreme heat warning issued by the Met Office.
Among the seven schools to announce they would be fully closed on Friday were Chawson Community First School in Droitwich, Pendock CE Primary School in Upton and The Chantry School in Martley.
All cited the extreme heat, including the forecast temperatures posing a safety risk and ‘excessively high classroom temperatures’.
Meanwhile, 55 schools in the county announced partial closures on Friday.
An NHS spokesperson said: “The Health and Care Trust are extending X-ray opening hours at Bromsgrove and Malvern this weekend to help reduce any additional pressures at Emergency Departments.”
With temperatures soaring well over 30C for the third day in a row across the West Midlands, the ambulance service urged people to ‘ensure you are doing everything you can to look out for yourself and your loved ones’.
Other advice includes drinking plenty of fluids, wearing sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses outside and wearing light, loose clothing, preferably cotton or linen.
A spokesperson said: “Check in on those who’re particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, those on medications that make the heat harder to manage and small children.”
During the heatwave there were red extreme heat warnings issued by the Met Office for Wednesday and Thursday and amber warnings in place for Monday, Tuesday and Friday as well as a yellow warning on Friday for thunderstorms.
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The heat was so intense at times, gritting teams had to be deployed to tackle melting roads while Worcestershire Royal Hospital saw increased heat-related admissions.
Dr Ed Mitchell, deputy chief medical officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both staff and patients remains paramount through the current red heat health alert and the ongoing hot weather that is currently forecast.”
Dr Mitchell has said, however, that some groups remain at greater risk.
He added: “While anyone can be affected by hot weather, those who are vulnerable are at even greater risk of becoming unwell, including older people, babies and young children, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions.
“We would encourage people to follow existing public health advice for staying safe in the hot weather, as well as checking on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell.”
