This is Derbyshire --HOSPITAL staff have been breaking out the ice lollies in a bid to keep patients cool – as the county gets set to see its hottest day of the year so far next week.
Temperatures are being predicted to reach a scorching 35C in Derbyshire and the hot spell is taking its toll on both the emergency services and people's health.
At the Royal Derby Hospital, a nine-month-old baby and an entire family of four were among patients arriving at its accident and emergency department with sunburn.
Additional beds have also been opened up to help cope with demand, with staff seeing a higher than normal rate of medical admissions – from about 60 a day to 90.
These include patients with long-term health conditions who suffer complications because of the heat.
It is all part of the city hospitals trust's "heat wave" plan, which was put in place earlier this week.
David Ainsworth, general manager for acute medicine at Derby's hospitals, said: "We're doing all sorts of things to keep patients comfortable in the heat – cool bedding, clothing and so on.
"But it is important that patients are getting enough fluids and we are making sure they get all the help they need with this – ice lollies are a great part of this, plus make patients feel they are not missing out on the nice weather.
"But we keep encouraging people outside the hospital to cover up against the sun, use high-factor sun block and drink plenty of fluids, to avoid becoming unwell."
Among patients given an ice lolly yesterday was Jean Hall, 75, of Fall Road, Heanor, who said: "It's a lovely idea to help us keep cool. I came into hospital because the weather and my ill-health meant I could hardly breathe, so keeping cool is important."
East Midlands Ambulance Service has seen a 15% increase in 999 calls. A spokesman said: "This is placing our frontline crews under significant pressure. Many of the calls we receive are from people who were unwell as a result of the hot weather or because they had not taken necessary precaution to protect themselves."
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has reported a 45% increase in fires involving rubbish, skips, grassland or open spaces in the first three weeks of July, compared with the same period in June. A spokesman said: "More people have barbecues and we would stress they should take care to ensure hot coals and ash are disposed of in a safe manner."
The RSPCA has also experienced a rise in calls. Malcolm Hall, customer care manager at the charity's Derby branch, said twice as many dogs than last month had been left in cars exposed to the sun.
He added: "If people see a dog in a car when the weather is hot they should call 999 and the police can come and release them. We don't have the power to actually break in like the police do." Reported by This is 19 hours ago.