A Cambridge University study reported that nine out of 10 hospital wards are prone to overheating because health and safety fears have triggered restrictions on opening windows, according to an article on the Cambridge News website.
Heatwave-related deaths are predicted to triple to 7,000 a year by the 2050s if nothing is done to deal with the combination of rising temperatures and an ageing population, the article said.
A study led by architecture expert Alan Short found Department of Health promotion of natural ventilation for wards and offices was often thwarted because concerns about safety, infection control and security.