AMBER heat health alert updated for the South East
Please be informed that the UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert for the South East, which covers West Berkshire.
The alert is in effect from 12PM on 18/06/2026 until 8PM on 23/06/2026 across the South East. The amber alert has a matrix score of 12.
This means that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, including:
- increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people
- greater risk to life of vulnerable people
- increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm
- water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning
Anyone can feel unwell in hot weather, but some groups face higher risks of bad health. This may be due to their medical conditions, or because their ‘building blocks of health’ are unsuitable – e.g. housing conditions, working environment, or support in the community. Hot weather can also put pressure on health and care services or disrupt how they are delivered.
Key groups at risk from hot weather
- older people (aged 65 years and over)
- babies and young children (particularly those aged 5 years and under)
- people with health conditions, including: heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, mobility problems or a mental health condition
- pregnant women (potential risk of preterm birth)
- people on certain medications that potentially affect heart or kidney function, cognition, or ability to sweat
- people who are already ill and dehydrated (for example, from diarrhoea and vomiting)
- people who experience alcohol or drug dependence
- people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves
- people who are physically active and spend a lot of time outside
- people who work in jobs that require manual labour or extensive time outside
- people experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as sofa surfers or those living in hostels
18/06/2026