Call to avoid A&E if possible as heatwave continues

Wednesday, 24 June 2026 11:35

By Harry Booth

Islanders are being asked to avoid A&E if it's not necessary, with the hot weather placing extra strain on the hospital.

We're into a fourth day of the current heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach around 36°C.

Yesterday was the hottest June day on record in Jersey, and the second-hottest on record, with a temperature of 37.2°C.

Dr Catherine King, Emergency Medicine Consultant and Clinical Lead for the Emergency Department, said:

"We would always promote the message that if you are going to come into hospital, think about whether this is an accident or an emergency that you need to come to the department for, or if this is something that can be dealt with your GP or the pharmacist.

"In this hot weather, I would just think about whether or not you really need to come to the emergency department because we are anticipating extra strain on the department with the heat, so it just adds on top of that strain that we already have."

During last month's heatwave, the hospital air conditioning broke, meaning some operating theatres had to close.

The issue has since been fixed.

Dr King added:

"The building is getting a little bit older, and as we get older, things start to not work as well as they used to, but the teams that we've got working in the hospital are fantastic, they're keeping an eye on everything, making sure that things are working so we can maintain a safe and effective emergency care and provide that to the people of Jersey."