Latest news with #DrSohailAbbas
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
GPs heatstroke warning as weather causes surge in A&E visits
Hospital emergency departments have reported a surge in people seeking urgent care during the August heatwave, according to West Yorkshire Health and Care more hot weather forecast, health leaders across the region have urged people to take simple steps to stay safe in the Sohail Abbas, deputy medical director for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and a local GP, has warned that high temperatures can pose serious health risks. Older people, young children and those with existing health conditions are particularly at risk, he added. Dr Abbas recommended drinking water and staying hydrated. "If you are out and about, you can refill your bottle with free water in lots of places across our region. You can use the Refill Return app to find your nearest water station."He has also recommended avoiding the sun between 11:00 and 15:00 GMT, when it is at its hottest. "If you do need to go out, stick to the shade, use suncream, wear sunglasses and wear light-coloured, loose clothing," he said. He also urged people to look out for vulnerable neighbours and relatives, and to never leave babies, children or animals in parked home, he advised that people can keep indoor spaces cooler by closing the curtains in rooms that face the sun, opening windows when it's cooler outside and turning off electrical equipment and lights that get hot. "If you do feel unwell make sure you access the right care in the right place," said Dr Abbas. "If you're unsure what to do, contact NHS 111 online at or by phone - they're open 24 hours a day, seven days a week."Heat exhaustion symptoms include dizziness, tiredness, feeling or being sick, headache, excessive sweating and weakness. Sufferers do not usually need emergency medical help if they are cooled down within 30 minutes, Dr Abbas cool someone down, he advised moving them to a cool place, removing unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks, getting them to drink a sports drink or cool water and cooling their skin by spraying or sponging them with cold water and fanning them. Heatstroke needed to be treated as an emergency, he added. The more serious condition's signs include a person still feeling unwell after 30 minutes of rest in a cool place and drinking fluids; a high temperature; hot skin that is not sweaty and may look red; a fast heartbeat; fast breathing or shortness of breath; confusion and lack of co-ordination; a seizure, fit or loss of to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Bradford health bosses give heat advice as temperatures soar
Health bosses have warned people to stay hydrated, avoid going out during the hottest part of the day and keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours and relatives as the latest heatwave hits across the region peaked at 30 degrees earlier and the hot weather is set to continue throughout the Royal Infirmary reported a surge in people seeking urgent care during the last heatwave, and chiefs have urged the public to take extra precautions - especially with the elderly, babies and also said to call 999 in the event of heatstroke, with symptoms including shortness of breath, dizziness and confusion. Dr Sohail Abbas, Deputy Medical Director for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: "Drinking water and staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do to keep well in hot weather."If you are out and about, you can refill your bottle with free water in lots of places across our district."He added: "Avoid the sun between 11:00 and 15:00, when it's at its hottest... if you do need to go out, stick to the shade, use sun cream, wear sunglasses and wear light-coloured, loose clothing." Heatwave to peak this weekend as temperatures soar to 34C At home, people are advised to keep indoor spaces cooler by closing the curtains in rooms that face the sun, opening windows when it is cooler outside and turning off electrical equipment and lights that get Abbas said that, if someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, you should remove unnecessary clothing, give them a drink and spray or sponge their skin with cool water, as well as fanning them."But it if it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency," he added. The UK Health Security Agency has extended yellow heat health alerts to cover every region in England, which will remain in place until 10:00 BST on 15 July. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
