The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health alerts for 3 UK areas amid the 32C heatwave hitting the country. The yellow alerts are in place for London, the South East and East of England. They began at 4pm today (May 28) and run until 8pm on Sunday (May 30).

Health officials said the alerting system is designed to provide an early warning when extreme temperatures are likely to affect people’s health and wellbeing. The Weather Health Alert system is operated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in partnership with the Met Office and is aimed at helping the health and social care sector, emergency responders, community organisations and government departments prepare for severe weather conditions. It includes both Heat-Health Alerts and Cold-Health Alerts and forms part of the government’s wider Adverse Weather and Health Plan. The UKHSA said the core heat alert season normally runs from June 1 until September 30 each year.

Extraordinary alerts, however, can still be issued outside of that period if unusually hot weather develops earlier or later in the year.

Officials warned that high temperatures can have a serious impact on vulnerable groups, including older people, young children and those with existing health conditions.

One of the yellow Heat-Health Alerts has been issued for the UK capital, with officials warning of possible impacts on health and social care services during the hot spell.

The alert will come into force at 4pm on May 28 and remain in place until 8pm on May 30.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the warning carries a risk score of eight, with a high likelihood of heat-related impacts despite the overall impact level being classed as low.

Health officials said minor impacts are expected across healthcare and social care services during the period of extreme heat.

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