The NHS must “immediately” prepare for heatwave pressures similar to those experienced during flu season, the health secretary has warned.
Yvette Cooper said the growing health risks linked to climate change mean emergency rooms will continue to face significant challenges each summer.
Thousands have died as a result of the extreme heat in recent months, with several hospitals being forced to declare critical incidents as they deal with overcrowding.
Average daily A&E attendances reached 81,264 for the first time ever in June.
“This is a new thing for the NHS to have to deal with. There is a remarkable determination of the NHS to respond, but we need much greater resilience,” Ms Cooper told The Guardian.
“I’ve been clear we now need to prepare for summer pressures in the way that the NHS for a long time has prepared for winter pressures.
“We need a much clearer assessment now of what that means, what the pressures are going to be, what management needs to be in place to cope.”
Ms Cooper told the newspaper that she had visited her local A&E in Yorkshire where staff were facing attendances that were typically only seen in winter.
The health secretary said she was looking into a public awareness campaign to remind the public to look out for vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with young babies.
She said she had discussed the plan with chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty, who agreed that there needed to me more public awareness about the dangers of extreme heat.
“There is a need for all of us to look out for our elderly neighbours and family members in the heat of summer, exactly as you would if it was freezing cold weather and you would be checking on elderly family members or relatives. We need to do the same thing now, in the summer, in the heatwaves and also for the very young.”
This year, England is set to see its highest number of deaths caused by heatwaves since figures began.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said an estimated 753 deaths were associated with the heatwave that ran from 24-27 May, with a further 2,124 deaths linked to the heatwave between June 21 and 28.
It is nearly twice as many deaths as the 1,504 recorded in June to August last year.
Dr Ross Thompson, principal environmental public health scientist at UKHSA, said: “These figures highlight the significant danger that very hot weather can pose to people’s health.
“This is particularly true for those who are more vulnerable including older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.
“As the climate becomes warmer, we can expect periods of hot weather to become longer, more frequent and more extreme.”
