Hot weather causes rise in PEH emergency attendance

People are attending the department due to cases of dizziness, dehydration, faintness, heat exhaustion and sun burn. On average about 50 patients a day are seen by ED – at the moment it is 57.

Last July, there were 1,430 patients, to date there have already been 1,423, as of yesterday, in line to reach 1,700 by the end of the month.

‘While we hope everyone really enjoys this warm weather, Public Health would like to remind everyone of the top ways for staying safe during the heat,’ a spokesman said.

These were to:

n look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions;

n close curtains in rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors;

n drink plenty of water as sugary, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can make you more dehydrated;

n never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals;

n try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm;

n take care to protect against the sun if you are going into the water to cool down;

n walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, if you have to go out in the heat

n avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day

n wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes

n make sure you take water with you, if you are travelling

Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, said that the over- 65s, as well as young children and those with heart and lung conditions can find normal activities a strain when temperatures get this high.

‘I also urge people to take care to protect against the sun, taking sensible precautions such wearing a hat and applying sunscreen. It is also important to stay well hydrated.’

The most recent figures from Sea Fisheries show the water temperature is around 16.1 degrees, one degree higher than at this time last year and it could mean more jellyfish are present in local waters.

Last year the summer holidays began with a more unsettled picture as more rain and cloud appeared but temperatures so far for 2018 have remained in the 20s.

While not the hottest part of the British Isles, parts of Southern England have reached over 30 degrees, the low winds have made for perfect beach conditions.

‘I have definitely noticed the water is much warmer’ said mum Lauren McKenna, 23.

‘We come down to the beach most days, to Pembroke and Port Soif, and we’ve noticed it both places. Sometimes it’s like a bath. It makes it much easier to get in.

‘The kids love it they’ve been in three times today so far already and they’ll stay in for around half an hour each time,’ she said.

States biodiversity officer Julia Henney said that although reports of jellyfish go up in times of warmer sea temperatures, it could be that more people are out in the water as a result.

‘There is a correlation between jellyfish populations and sea temperature and their populations will also be influenced by wind direction and ocean currents. It is difficult, however, to determine whether there are more jellyfish present in our waters than in previous years, or whether the public are seeing and reporting more due to an increase in swimmers with the fine weather.

‘The same can be said for weever fish. Whilst there are more sightings of weever fish during periods of fine weather in the summer. It is not possible to say whether their populations increase during the summer, or whether people are just more likely to be entering the sea and thus coming into contact with them. In fact, some studies have suggested that weever fish populations are highest during the winter,’ she said.