Hospital warning as heatwave continues - Jersey Evening Post
by Daisy Morel · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Hospital warning as heatwave continues
by Daisy Morel 24 June 202624 June 2026
Share this:
HEALTH officials are urging Islanders to only come to the Emergency Department in cases of genuine emergency or a serious accident as they brace for an increase in heat-related admissions over the coming days.
As temperatures broke all-time records for June yesterday, topping 35°C during the daytime, Emergency Medicine consultant Dr Catherine King told the JEP that while the hospital so far had not seen “significant numbers” of individuals suffering with heat-related illness such as heatstroke, staff had observed that several patients’ conditions had been “worsened by the heat”.
She advised Islanders: “Obviously, with the heat at the moment, we’re under a little bit more stress than usual… Really think about why you’re coming in, and whether or not you really need to use the Emergency Department. We’ve got some fabulous GPs on the Island, and we’ve got pharmacies who would love to see you if there is something that doesn’t necessarily need [emergency treatment].”
It comes after the JEP reported this week that almost 10,000 patients who attended A&E last year could have been treated by GPs.
Dr King also noted that the hottest time of the day was not necessarily midday, as many believe – but that temperatures often peaked between 3pm and 5pm.
With the World Cup now in full swing, the consultant also urged Islanders to be mindful of their alcohol consumption during the extreme temperatures.
“There is a lot of public health advice out at the moment about staying cool, and drinking lots of fluids – fluids meaning cold water or juices, just not caffeine or alcohol, as they will dehydrate you.”
During a heatwave last month, the hospital’s air con units failed.
Three of the hospital’s seven theatres were temporarily closed due to issues with a chilled water unit on the roof of the hospital, with 83 patients affected in total.
Asked how the facilities were faring, Dr King did not point to any immediate issues, but said: “The building is an older building. We’ve got really, really fabulous teams making sure that everything is running as smoothly as it can within an older building, with an older infrastructure, to make sure that the Emergency Services are still working and providing care for the people of Jersey.”
Related
Read the latest free supplements
Read the Homelife, Connect and a whole host of other subjects like ranging from cycling to travel.
View all our latest supplements now >