Climate change poses a major risk to health and wellbeing. The impacts on health can be seen across the UK but are particularly harmful for those who are at greatest risk of poor health.

• 38,000 deaths a year are attributable to poor air pollution, and there is an increase in the number of new vector-borne diseases in the UK.
• Between 2020 and 2024 in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimated there were a total of 10,781 heat-associated deaths as a direct consequence of heatwaves.
• Projections suggest heat related deaths are set to rise to around 11,000 per year by the 2050s without adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Impact of climate change on the NHS

In addition to the detrimental impact on health outcomes, climate change poses a significant service delivery and financial threat to the NHS, impacting both infrastructure and services for patients.

• As the number and intensity of flooding incidents and heatwaves increase, interruption to critical NHS services will grow – highlighting the necessity of adaptation alongside mitigation efforts.
• UKHSA estimates that currently heat-related mortality in England costs £6.8 billion annually, and is likely to increase to £14.7 billion per year by the 2050s.

Without appropriate safeguards these hazards will affect staff, damage infrastructure and disrupt critical services such as water, energy and transport.

Ensuring the healthcare system is resilient to the impacts of extreme weather is essential to maintain healthcare delivery and protect NHS sites and services.