Always take the weather with you

Released 26/06/2009

by Matt Jane

Matthew Jane dreams of beaches and ice cream, but only once the work has been done

As I sit in my office with an impending storm brewing outside, regretting my decision to leave the house this morning in decidedly summer clothing, it is with a degree of pleasure that I read about an impending heatwave, expected to hit as early as next week.

The prospect of weekend visits to the seaside - donning the shorts and paddling in the breaking waves, a rapidly melting ice cream cornet perched precariously in my hand - seems like a truly enticing offer. Certainly a more seasonal offering for late June than the ever-darkening clouds overhead.

But the Department of Health has been quick to ground our feet and highlight a more serious side to rising temperatures, more akin to equatorial climates than the British Isles.

The elderly or ill are particularly susceptible to extremes in temperature. This could potentially put a heavier burden on practices.

This will make it particularly important to ensure your practice is geared up for any summer surges. When the sun is in the sky, there can be a tendency to let our minds wander to the beach, the paddling and the ice cream cornets. However, as you are all too aware, primary care doesn't stand still, no matter what the weather is. Having systems in place to deal with such eventualities and contingency plans for the ‘just in care' scenarios should help your practice run smoothly, no matter what surges come through your door.

Most importantly though, enjoy the sun and if you're heading to a beach, have a paddle for me.

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