Health · 27 June 2026

Heatwave breaks hospital IT, cancels appointments

The extreme heat is causing major problems for English hospitals, leading to a surge in patients and equipment failures. At least three hospitals, including Queen Alexandra in Portsmouth, declared critical incidents on Wednesday and Thursday as IT systems and cooling units struggled. This meant some MRI scanners and radiotherapy machines stopped working, with one geriatric ward reaching 35C.

By BriefTea Editorial · 27 June 2026 at 12:05

Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs

Get the app

More briefs

HealthCorrecting hearing loss can cut dementia risk by almost half HealthMan changes life after doctor warns liver disease could kill him HealthSweetener used in chewing gum and jam linked to strokes and heart attacks HealthMouth cancer rates up a third in UK, often with no obvious cause HealthBox breathing helps calm stress and reduce anxiety, say experts HealthNHS managers warn spiralling costs could disrupt ADHD and autism care More health stories → Browse all stories →