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Shocking heat in NRW: Hospitals and homes demand immediate action!
In North Rhine-Westphalia, clinics and care facilities are urgently calling for investments in heat protection measures for health and safety.
Shocking heat in NRW: Hospitals and homes demand immediate action!
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is currently facing an intense heat wave. Temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius were already measured on Monday, while the peak is expected on Wednesday with values between 35 and 39 degrees. These extreme temperatures not only put a strain on the population, but also pose a significant challenge for healthcare facilities. Many hospitals and nursing homes lack effective heat protection, which poses a serious danger, especially for vulnerable groups such as older people and patients. Loud RP Online The situation is tense because many patient rooms in hospitals are not air-conditioned.
Sascha Klein, vice president of the NRW Hospital Association, reported on the difficulties caused by the persistent heat. Although the operating rooms enjoy the advantage of air conditioning, the patient rooms often remain unprotected. The country's limited financial resources have so far left the institutions little scope for necessary climate adaptations. However, the new hospital planning could bring about a change and enable more investment in heat protection.
Heat protection measures and new plans
In order to improve the situation, the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs (MAGS) in North Rhine-Westphalia has developed working aids for heat protection plans. These were developed in collaboration with the North Rhine-Westphalia State Center for Health (LZG.NRW) and other actors from the health and care sector. The materials offer both short-term measures that can be implemented and long-term concepts that are intended to serve as orientation for the institutions. The work aids are available in two versions: one for hospitals and one for inpatient care and residential facilities. These can be found online at LZG NRW be retrieved.
Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann emphasizes the immense importance of these heat protection measures for older and sick people. The assistance provided is intended to promote individual measures and enable the facilities to be better adapted to the extreme temperatures. In addition, a state coordination office was set up to advise municipalities on heat and health and to support them in planning heat action measures.
A wide range of institutions have contributed to the development of these working aids, including the Free Welfare Society of North Rhine-Westphalia, the North Rhine-Westphalia Medical Association, various associations and the North Rhine-Westphalia Hospital Association. The aim of the initiative is to build a central network for health-related heat protection at the state level and to promote exchange between authorities, associations and organizations. In order to better manage the tense situations, the LZG.NRW also carries out further qualification and further training measures.