AQW 49941/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 30/06/2026
Answered On Date: 30/07/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps the health and social care system is taking to adapt estates and infrastructure, including hospitals and care homes, to ensure they remain safe and operational during sustained high temperatures.

Answer:

The HSC Trusts have been requested to risk assess their operations and develop necessary action plans to adapt their estate as required to the risks arising from climate change including adverse weather such as high temperatures. The HSC Trusts are aware that climate change is likely to increase the frequency and severity of high-temperature events and continue to consider overheating risks in their estate management, maintenance, refurbishment and capital investment planning processes.

Immediate actions may include optimising mechanical ventilation systems and Building Management Systems, maximising natural ventilation through the opening of windows where appropriate, deploying portable cooling equipment such as portable air conditioning units and fans, and reducing solar heat gain through the use of blinds, curtains and other shading measures.