Responding to the impact today's continued heatwave has on the NHS., the director of policy and strategy and interim deputy chief executive Miriam Deakin of NHS Providers, said:

"The NHS is running hot as the unprecedented heatwave continues into today, impacting urgent and emergency care and some planned care.

"Trusts simply don't have the infrastructure they need to handle this extreme weather, and this heatwave underlines why the government must deliver on its pledge to build new hospitals and invest more in capital across mental health, community and ambulance care.

"Across the country we are seeing hospitals having to scale back the number of planned surgeries as operating theatres are too hot. Trusts are having to install industrial cooling units, mounting fans, and trying to cool down IT server rooms.

"Trusts are also carrying out measures to look after their staff. Some staff have swapped formal uniforms for cooler scrubs, while in some places those who are not frontline workers have been given the option to work from home. Trusts are also circulating useful internal communications on how to keep safe, and welfare vans are on site providing refreshments, while many hospital kitchens are busy making ice lollies for colleagues and patients.

"Trusts are checking in with their vulnerable patients to make sure they have ample amounts of water and plans in place to stay cool. Many services have reviewed their clinical activities to assess whether appointments or group activities should be cancelled or moved virtually, particularly in community and mental health services.

"Discharge teams are considering the heat when making assessments, so that patients are kept safe. This means ensuring patients and their carers, community hospitals and care homes have water supplies before being discharged and transport providers are reducing the amount of time patients spend in a car or ambulance."