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Health and social care responses to the Department of Health Heatwave Plan

Abrahamson, V., Raine, R. (2009) Health and social care responses to the Department of Health Heatwave Plan. Journal of Public Health, 31 (4). pp. 478-489. ISSN 1741-3842. (doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdp059) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:45637)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdp059

Abstract

Background The increasing risk of heatwaves in England poses a particular threat to the health of elderly people. A National Heatwave Plan has

been produced to ensure that adaptation plans are established. The objective was to explore the perceptions of frontline statutory and voluntary

sector staff on the feasibility of implementing the Heatwave Plan for elderly people in the community.

Methods Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 109 health, social care and voluntary staff from three London Boroughs.

Results Few frontline staff were aware of the Plan. Most respondents did not perceive heatwaves to be a sufficiently frequent event to require

prioritization within their routine summer workloads. They highlighted the complexities associated with defining vulnerability and identifying

vulnerable individuals as well as barriers to implementation of the Plan. Respondents suggested a multi-faceted approach to interventions

including a public health campaign, community engagement and increasing the responsiveness of statutory services.

Conclusion The issues highlighted could hinder effective implementation of the Heatwave Plan. Ensuring continuity of care so that timely

information can be recorded and disseminated may address the problems associated with shifting vulnerability. Best practice with respect to intersectoral

collaboration should be identified and innovative multi-faceted interventions should be designed and evaluated.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/pubmed/fdp059
Uncontrolled keywords: health protection, health risks, heatwaves, knowledge, perceptions
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC952 Geriatrics
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Tony Rees
Date Deposited: 01 Dec 2014 12:36 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:18 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/45637 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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