A new national study aims to reduce the health risks caused by overheating in children’s hospital wards as climate change drives higher temperatures.
The research, led by the University of Sheffield and the University of Leicester, will examine how and where overheating occurs in hospitals, which children are most affected and what cooling solutions can be introduced safely and sustainably.
Instances of UK children’s hospitals becoming too hot are rising, partly because many NHS buildings were not designed to cope with increasingly high temperatures.
Overheating can worsen health risks for children, particularly those with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or kidney problems.
High temperatures can also affect children’s concentration, memory and ability to process information, while increasing anxiety and emotional distress.
Researchers said overheating can also disrupt hospital operations, damage equipment and make it harder for staff to work safely.
Despite the growing challenge, there is still limited evidence on which children are most vulnerable, what temperatures are safe in paediatric settings and which cooling approaches work best without affecting infection control or sustainability.
The 10-month study has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research through its Climate Change and Health: Adapting Health and Social Care Systems programme.
It will focus on Sheffield Children’s Hospital as a pilot site and aims to lay the groundwork for a larger national study across multiple NHS children’s hospitals.
The research team will develop an index to identify wards most at risk and test practical, low-carbon cooling and ventilation strategies.
The study will bring together patients, young people, families, healthcare professionals, NHS managers and sustainability leaders to ensure the findings reflect real hospital needs.
Dr Chengzhi Peng, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Architecture and Landscape, is leading the study.
He said: “Many of our hospital buildings were not designed to cope with the extreme heat events we now face.
“Our goal is to move beyond temporary fixes by piloting the Disparity-Aware Paediatric-specific Heat Vulnerability Index methodology.
“This pioneering tool will integrate building performance data with patient vulnerability factors, allowing us to accurately identify high-risk areas and implement cost-effective sustainable cooling solutions that are proven to be safe, feasible, and equitable for every child receiving care.”
Dr John Richmond, lecturer in healthcare management at the Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Policy and Management at the University of Leicester School of Business, will lead the policy and management strand of the project.
He said: “I’m looking forward to leading the policy and management strand of this project, bringing together healthcare professionals, NHS managers, sustainability leaders and policymakers to ensure our work aligns with real operational needs and national priorities.
“By better understanding how and why overheating occurs, we can help the NHS develop practical, feasible adaptations that safeguard children’s health in hospitals across the UK.”
Dr Shazia Adalat, consultant paediatric nephrologist and chair of the Sustainability Group at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, is also part of the research team.
She leads the international Climate-Kidneys-Cognition working group, which investigates how climate change affects kidney and brain health.
Dr Suzanne Bartington, clinical associate professor at the University of Birmingham and UKRI Clean Air Champion, will lead the project’s work on patient and public involvement.
She said: “By working directly with the people most affected by hospital overheating, we can ensure our solutions are not only scientifically robust but also equitable and practical for real-world use.
“This project is a vital step in protecting children’s paediatric health outcomes as our climate changes.”
Professor Meena Balasubramanian, clinical director of research at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, said: “With rising temperatures making incidences of hospital overheating more likely in the future, there is much to learn about the potential impacts on both patients and staff.
“This is an exciting study which will help inform how hospitals can use sustainable solutions to adapt.”