Anticipated peak temperatures may reach as high as 38 degrees.
In the face of a looming heatwave, concerns about the lack of heat protection in hospitals and nursing homes across Germany are growing. The German Foundation for Patient Protection has expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation, with over 1,600 clinics and 12,000 nursing homes lacking adequate heat protection measures.
Eugen Brysch, a board member of the foundation, has warned that difficult days lie ahead for the over 300,000 hospital patients and 800,000 nursing home residents. He emphasized that many hospitals and nursing homes are not well-prepared for heat, with simple and ineffective means such as shading and fans being the norm on hot days.
Experts concur with Brysch's assessment, stating that the current protections are inadequate, with most clinics lacking air conditioning due to insufficient funding. In response, the healthcare industry associations are calling for substantial investment to make these facilities more climate-resilient, including the installation of air conditioning or similarly effective cooling systems.
The German Hospital Federation (DKG) has proposed a multi-year investment program of 31 billion euros for this purpose. There is a particular emphasis on retrofitting medical and nursing facilities with better heat protection before the end of the current year through binding investment commitments from health and environment ministries.
In addition to these proposals, Germany has introduced a heat action plan aimed at reducing excess mortality linked to heat. This plan includes legal requirements to conduct climate risk assessments and implement measures against heat, heavy rain, and flooding. These efforts are part of broader climate adaptation strategies at governmental and municipal levels.
Some German cities have developed local heat strategies and action plans informed by stakeholder participation, scientific analysis, and experiences from pilot projects. These plans include concrete measures to protect vulnerable populations such as those in hospitals and care homes during heatwaves.
Furthermore, researchers are advancing AI-based systems to map urban heat stress in detail, which may support tailored heat protection solutions in urban areas, potentially benefiting healthcare institutions by identifying hotspots and optimizing cooling interventions.
As the heatwave approaches, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) predicts peak temperatures of around 37 degrees on Wednesday, with even higher temperatures expected on Thursday, reaching up to 38 degrees. The DWD has warned of "severe heat stress" that will reach the North German lowlands on Wednesday and the east on Thursday. Overnight, isolated showers or heavy thunderstorms may occur in the west and northwest of Germany.
The lack of air conditioning in hospitals and nursing homes is due to a decades-long investment backlog. The vice-chair of the German Hospital Association, Henriette Neumeyer, has stated that this puts both patients and staff under strain. She emphasized that many seniors, the sick, and workers without air-conditioned workplaces are significantly affected by health issues on hot days.
On Tuesday, temperatures were particularly challenging in Baden-Württemberg, with Müllheim recording 35.4 degrees, Rheinfelden recording 34.8 degrees, and Trier-Zewen recording 34.3 degrees.
As the heatwave approaches, it is crucial that adequate heat protection measures are implemented in hospitals and nursing homes across Germany to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, staff, and residents.
- The healthcare industry associations are calling for substantial investment to make hospitals and nursing homes more climate-resilient, including the installation of air conditioning or similarly effective cooling systems.
- In addition to heat protection, Germany has introduced a heat action plan that includes legal requirements to conduct climate risk assessments and implement measures against heat.
- Researchers are advancing AI-based systems to map urban heat stress in detail, which may support tailored heat protection solutions in urban areas, potentially benefiting healthcare institutions.
- Eugen Brysch, a board member of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, has stated that many seniors, the sick, and workers without air-conditioned workplaces are significantly affected by health issues on hot days.
- Experts concur that the current heat protection measures in hospitals and nursing homes are inadequate, with most clinics lacking air conditioning due to insufficient funding.
