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NHS Hospitals Hit 41.8°C, Forcing Surgery Cancellations

8/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

England's NHS hospitals hit 41.8 °C, causing cooling failures and surgery cancellations.
July ward temperatures averaged 31.9 °C, exceeding the NHS England safe limit of 28 °C.
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan urged an NHS adaptation unit to install air-conditioning in hospitals and care homes.
The NHS recorded a July A&E record of 2.5 million attendances, with 75.4 % treated within four hours.
Ambulance 999 calls rose 6.5 % from July last year.

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Story summary

England's NHS hospitals hit 41.8 °C, causing cooling failures and surgery cancellations.
July ward temperatures averaged 31.9 °C, exceeding the NHS England safe limit of 28 °C.
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan urged an NHS adaptation unit to install air-conditioning in hospitals and care homes.
The NHS recorded a July A&E record of 2.5 million attendances, with 75.4 % treated within four hours.
Ambulance 999 calls rose 6.5 % from July last year.