Newquay Urged to Check on Elderly Neighbours During Heatwave
Ambulance Service Issues Urgent Warning for Newquay and Surrounding Communities
As temperatures soar across Cornwall and Devon, the South Western Ambulance Service (SWASFT) is sounding the alarm about the dangers facing our older residents. During last month’s record-breaking heatwave, the service handled over 4,350 calls in a single day—its busiest ever—with alarming numbers involving vulnerable elderly patients.
Deputy Director of Clinical Care Adrian South has shared concerning observations from his recent rounds visiting patients. He discovered elderly residents still wearing cardigans and heating on despite scorching 30-degree temperatures, many dangerously dehydrated and unaware of their own body temperature changes.
With an amber heat health alert now in effect across the South West, SWASFT is urging Newquay residents and those across our region to take immediate action. If you have elderly family members, friends, or neighbours aged over 65, now is the time to check in. The service has launched a proactive campaign reminding us that heat-related illness often develops silently in older adults, who have reduced perception of temperature changes and may not recognise warning signs until it’s critical.
Local Impact: Why Our Elderly Neighbours Are Most Vulnerable
During last month’s heatwave, approximately 700 calls per day involved patients aged 70 and over—a staggering statistic that reveals just how disproportionately heat affects our older community members. Dehydration emerged as the most common reason for emergency calls among seniors, many of whom had simply not drunk enough fluids.
The challenge isn’t just about temperature exposure. Elderly residents face a perfect storm of vulnerability: reduced thirst sensation, multiple medications that affect hydration, underlying health conditions that worsen in heat, and sometimes confusion about what’s safe behaviour during extreme weather. Some elderly residents may have mobility issues that prevent them from adjusting their environment—closing curtains, turning off heating, or moving to cooler rooms.
For those who enjoy the beautiful Cornish coast during summer—whether that’s a stroll along Fistral Beach or visiting Newquay’s local landmarks and attractions—heat exhaustion can strike quickly. Even active seniors enjoying outdoor activities need to be extra cautious. SWASFT warns that heat alone causes dehydration, but when combined with existing medical conditions, the consequences can be severe and life-threatening.
What Newquay Residents Should Do Right Now
Adrian South’s advice is straightforward but critical: reach out to older relatives and neighbours immediately. Here’s what local residents should focus on this week:
**Take action today:** Call or visit elderly family members and friends. Check they’re staying hydrated, have access to cool spaces, and understand basic heat safety. Suggest they keep curtains and blinds closed during the day, use fans, and avoid going outside during peak heat hours (11am–3pm).
**Practical help:** Offer to help elderly neighbours turn off unnecessary heating, stock their fridge with water and hydrating foods, and provide transport to cooler public spaces like Newquay’s community centres or air-conditioned accommodation venues.
**Watch for warning signs:** Heat exhaustion symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches, rapid pulse, and confusion. Don’t wait—call 999 if you’re worried.
**Reduce ambulance pressure:** SWASFT dealt with an extra 700 daily calls during the last heatwave. By preventing heat-related illness through simple checks and support, you’re helping the service respond to genuine emergencies. The ambulance team is prepared, but prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Community support makes the difference between a manageable situation and crisis.
Source: Check on elderly during heatwave, ambulance service warns
