Milton Keynes Hospital bosses have made the decision to stand down all routine appointments and surgery amid red weather warnings.
It comes as as the first ever red warning has been issued in England. The Met Office predicts a 50% chance of temperatures hitting 40 degrees in MK at the beginning of next week. The dangerous weather warning is in place from 00:00 on Monday 18th July until 23:59 on Tuesday 19th July.
Due to the expected temperatures and a 'danger to life' warning from The Met Office, MK Hospital has decided to stand down all routine outpatient appointments and surgery on Monday and Tuesday next week.
Joe Harrison, MK Hospital CEO wrote: "It has been extremely busy at Milton Keynes Hospital over the past week, with more patients than usual needing emergency care and significant pressure on our staff. As we go into the weekend, temperatures are forecast to rise up to 39C on Monday and Tuesday.
"We have taken the decision to stand down routine outpatient appointments and surgery on Monday and Tuesday because many of patients travelling to these appointments are frail and at increased risk, and due to the unpredictable nature of very high temperatures on demand for emergency care and on care environment.
"We will do all we can to keep wards and departments as cool as possible, but we know this will be a challenge given the very high outside temperature. We have solid plans and contingency plans in place and will keep social media channels and our website updated with any changing info.
"I’d like to say a sincere thank you to our staff who show up on the most difficult days and give their all. It is a really challenging time in the NHS and I am often in awe and always grateful for all they do - as a CEO and also as a patient, a relative, a visitor. Thank you NHS."
Earlier this week, NHS bosses urged Milton Keynes residents to only use 999 in an emergency.
A rise in Covid patients being admitted to local hospitals, coupled with the impact that the current heat wave is having, is resulting in local hospitals and ambulance services struggling to cope with demand, bosses say.
The public is being urged to only call 999 for an ambulance or attend A&E in the event that they have a genuine emergency.
