Hospital staff on stand-by for heatstroke sufferers

STAFF at Bassetlaw Hospital have been on stand-by this week to treat anyone suffering from heatstroke.

With the area witnessing some of its hottest days so far this year, health experts have been advising people to take extra care and avoid spending too much time in the sun.

The temperature yesterday (Wednesday) reached 28.9 degrees making it the hottest day of the year so far.

Mary Mitchell, Manager, Bassetlaw Hospital said: "Staff at Bassetlaw Hospital are prepared for any increase in patients suffering from the effects of the predicted heatwave.

"Some people will be particularly vulnerable, especially frail elderly women over the age of 75, who live alone.

"For this group of patients, an unnecessary trip to hospital is in itself traumatic – so we ask local people to keep an eye on older people and help them follow health advice for keeping cool."

"Our hospitals are providing a cool room, and cooling devices, checking room temperatures during the day identifying vulnerable patients' supplies of ice or cold water, discharging at risk patients only if they have support from neighbours, family, and friends, or social care services."

Official Met Office observer for the area, Les Hardy told the Retford Times Tuesday was the hottest June recording for three years.

He said: "It's the hottest June reading since June 2006. The hottest June I have ever recorded was June 2005 when it got to 29.4 degrees."

June has also not seen much rain - with the 35.2mm recorded measuring in at about half what would typically fall.