NHS must prepare for annual summer heat pressures, says Yvette Cooper
Health secretary says global heating means UK hospitals and GPs will have to prepare for summer as well as winter peaks of demand
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Health secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that the NHS must prepare for annual summer heat pressures caused by global heating, similar to winter peaks of demand. Extreme heatwaves have led to A&E pressures, equipment failures, and an estimated 2,877 heat-related deaths in England this summer. Cooper stated that government investment in NHS infrastructure will be used to improve resilience as summers become increasingly hot, with temperatures topping 40C expected to become more frequent.