NHS Surrey Issue Heatwave Advice Following Met Office Warning

Published on: 9 Jul, 2025
Updated on: 10 Jul, 2025

The NHS in Surrey is reminding the public in ways which they can keep themselves safe after UKHSA and the Met office issue yellow heat health alert for the region.

The yellow heat health alert is in effect from today until 10am on July 15 across the South East with the Met office predicting temperatures will hit 30 degrees on Saturday and it looks set to be the most widespread and persistent spell of hot weather so far this year with all four UK nations set to meet their heatwave criteria – perhaps for five or six days in places.

No Hosepipe Ban – Yet (see below)

The alert indicates that weather conditions may affect vulnerable people, while an amber alert warns that conditions could impact the wider population, putting pressure on health services.

Professor Andew Rhodes, joint chief medical officer at NHS Surrey Heartlands said: “For many people the news of exceptional warm weather is welcome but for others, particularly vulnerable people, it can exacerbate existing health conditions.

“Older people, those with medical condition and babies and young children need to take extra care. Taking steps to stay cool is really important and if you do have a friend or relative who may struggle in this heat please do check in on them.”

NHS Surrey offered the following advice to keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather:

keeping your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
if you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing, such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly
keeping out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
if you are going to do a physical activity plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening
knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them.

If people do feel unwell in the hot weather there are a range of services available to help including:

Pharmacies – a good place to start for health advice and over-the-counter medicines
GP practices can also help if you need advice or think you may need to see a doctor
NHS 111 online at www.111.nhs.uk helps link you up with the service you need (for children under 5 years please call 111 instead) – and NHS 111 by phone 24/7 where a health advisor can help you get the care you need in the right place
Walk-in centres and urgent treatment centres can also help – see www.nhs.uk for details
Remember 999 and A&E are for critically ill people so always call or go to A&E straight away if it is a life-threatening situation.

More information to help you stay safe during hot weather is available online. Visit the UK Health Security Agency and NHS websites including their pages on how to beat the heat and on heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The level of alert is based on Met Office forecasts and data.

There are four levels ranging from green (least severe) to red (most severe):

Green Green is the normal level, when advice is given on how people should prepare to respond if temperatures rise or fall.

Yellow Yellow alerts are issued during periods of hot or cold weather that are only likely to affect those who are particularly vulnerable, for example the elderly, or those with existing health conditions.

Amber Amber alerts are issued in situations that could potentially put the whole population at risk. The NHS may see increased demand on GPs and ambulances, for example. Travel disruption is also likely.

Red A red alert is the most severe. It is issued in situations when hot or cold weather would be a significant risk to life, even for the healthy population, and could lead to failures of critical national infrastructure, such as power outages or roads and rail lines being closed.

No hosepipe Ban – Yet

Thames Water have comfirmed that there are no restrictions on water use at this time. But they say: “We’re monitoring the situation closely and will keep you updated if anything changes.”

The BBC reports that the water company will announce a hosepipe ban unless the current water shortage “changes significantly”.

Thames Water said a lack of rain and increasing demand had stretched supplies. It urged customers to use water sparingly to help avoid the need for restrictions.

Their website states: “June 2025 was England’s warmest on record, and we also had a very dry spring. We’re experiencing low rainfall and high demand for water while the sun shines. This means our reservoirs and groundwater sources are slower to refill.

“We’re doing everything we can behind the scenes to protect supplies. This includes fixing leaks, managing our network, and preparing for all scenarios. Thank you for continuing to use water wisely – every small action really helps.”