Keeping patients and staff cool during heatwaves

When temperatures soar, many of us can escape to the shade, switch on a fan or enjoy a cold drink at home. But for patients receiving treatment and the staff caring for them at University Hospital Southampton, there’s no stepping away from the heat.

During three successive heatwaves, Southampton Hospitals Charity worked closely with hospital teams to meet urgent requests from wards, clinics and departments across the hospital. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to deliver: 

• Hundreds of electric fans to some of the hottest wards and departments of the hospital. 

• More than 15 fridges and freezers to keep cold drinks and refreshments close at hand. 

• Thousands of ice lollies, cold drinks and snacks for patients and staff.  

These may seem like simple items, but they made a huge difference to our patients and staff. 

Fans bringing real relief

We’ve received some wonderful feedback from hospital staff. One of them is Amy Cowell, Senior Sister in the General Intensive Care Unit, who said:

“Feedback has been very positive from both patients and relatives, especially in the recent hot weather. Our awake patients have reported that having a fan available has eased the anxiety when they’re feeling breathless.”

We also spoke to Sue, who is a patient at the hospital:

“It was lovely to have a fan in the treatment room while having care to my ex-fix frame. It takes a while for all the pin sites to be cleaned and dressed, and to sit still in this heat is not pleasant. The fan brought real relief and made my treatment much more bearable.”