Three quarters of physicians are deeply concerned Britain’s public clinics and hospitals could crumble under the pressure of increasingly volatile weather events.
Only 16% of doctors in a survey by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) believe their workplace was very or somewhat prepared for the UK and planet’s changing climate, including heatwaves and floods. Meanwhile, 75% are worried about the impact on their patients.
According to analysis, 90% of hospitals in Britain are susceptible to overheating, with recent high temperatures – including summer 2025’s successive heatwaves – already exemplifying the negative effect on efficiency and capacity, with thousands of cancelled medical operations and appointments. Meanwhile, 2022 alone saw 2,985 deaths linked to heat as thermometers hit 40c in parts of southern England.
‘The reality is the NHS cannot afford to treat climate change as a future problem. We are seeing its impact already and the NHS is simply not prepared for it,’ said Dr Mark Harber.
‘The NHS must be supported to adapt to the effects of climate change. We urgently need investment in infrastructure, stronger workforce preparedness, and climate resilience built into every part of health and care. Otherwise, we risk our already stretched health service further overwhelmed by the impacts of climate change.’
The RCP is now calling on NHS organisations to introduce support systems to help staff cope with extreme weather events without sacrificing services. NICE should also produce concrete guidance on managing climate-related health risks and ways to introduce sustainability into clinical practice.
Further recommendations in the report include ring-fencing multi-year funding for climate adaptation in healthcare, both from the public purse and public-private partnerships, make climate risks assessment mandatory across the health system, and urgently retrofit buildings within the estate.
Beyond this, ICS Green Plans in England, Climate Change Response plans in Wales, and Sustainability Plans in Scotland should be put into place now. Meanwhile, Downing Street should make compulsory the development of a Health National Adaptation Plan across ll devolved countries, which outlines strategies for mitigating and responding to the climate crisis.
Image: Amir Azimi / Unsplash
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