Summer wellbeing tips and support

Heat exhaustion can happen in any veterinary setting, not only when working outdoors. Long periods of standing during surgery or consultations, hot theatre lights, PPE, physically demanding tasks and poorly ventilated clinical areas can all increase risk. 

Look out for early warning signs in yourself, clients and colleagues, including: 

• heavy sweating 
• dizziness or feeling faint 
• headache 
• fatigue or unusual physical weakness 
• muscle cramps 
• nausea 
• difficulty concentrating or making decisions 
• irritability or feeling generally unwell 

If you notice these symptoms, take action early: move to a cooler area, drink water, rest and remove layers of clothing or PPE when safe and appropriate. A simple check-in, such as offering to cover a colleague for a few minutes or asking whether they have had a drink, can make a difference. 

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if someone becomes confused, loses consciousness, has a seizure, or stops sweating despite being very hot. The British Red Cross provides further information on the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke. 

UV levels are usually highest in the middle of the day, around 11am to 3pm. Where possible, stay indoors or in the shade during the hottest parts of the day. If you go outside, the NHS recommends using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, as well as sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. 

To help keep indoor spaces cooler, close windows and curtains during the hottest parts of the day, then ventilate when the outside temperature drops. Loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing may also help, where this is practical and appropriate for your setting. 

Where’s Cool is also a useful resource for finding bars, cafes, and restaurants in your local area that are air conditioned. 

Hot weather can affect a range of health conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and menopause symptoms. Some medications can also increase sensitivity to heat or need to be stored within a specific temperature range. 

Mental health medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are particularly important to learn more about. 

If you take medication, check the patient information leaflet for side effects and storage instructions. Speak to a GP, pharmacist or NHS 111 if you are unsure. You can report suspected side effects through the Yellow Card scheme. 

If you have a hidden disability, you can get a sunflower lanyard to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that might not be immediately apparent – and that you might require extra support, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces. 

• Transport: heat can affect vehicles and public transport. Check tyres, fluid levels and air conditioning before driving, and carry extra water. 

• Water safety: the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) provide guidance on staying safe around water. 

• Hay fever and insect bites: pollen forecasts are available through the Met Office. Allergy UK and the NHS provide guidance on allergies, insect bites and stings. 

• If you are interested in learning more about bees, check out the British Bee Veterinary Society website 

• Children and family resources through CBBC, CBeebies and BBC Bitesize 

• Baking, gardening, crafts, outdoor water play (where safe and practical), and other home-based activities 

• Arts, culture and museums through local libraries, galleries, museums, the Art Fund, National Trust and RSA events.  

• The Book Trust and National Literacy Trust offer a range of support for parents, carers and families to support children and young people to read. 

• Gardens, wildflower meadows and nature activities through the Royal Horticultural Society, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh or Wildlife Trusts (visit free wildflower meadows across the UK). 

• UK travel and outdoor ideas through Discover Northern Ireland, Visit England, Visit Wales, Visit Scotland or National Parks UK 

• Science and technology activities through the Science Museum Group 

• Free or low-cost movement opportunities through parkrun and Lawn Tennis Association events