As summer heatwaves intensify, French hospitals find themselves without an official adaptation plan, according to the director of Metz-Thionville Regional Hospital, Dominique Peljak. In a Le Monde op-ed, he laments that "climate adaptation policy is not extended to healthcare facilities." This gap exposes patients and staff to increased risks as temperatures regularly exceed comfort and safety thresholds.
What's happening: gaps in climate adaptation policy for French hospitals
The public health system benefits from national guidelines on managing health emergencies, but none specifically integrate climate issues. Continuity of activity plans (COA) rarely mention extreme heat or intense cold scenarios, leaving each facility to improvise in the face of the unpredictable. This lack of a national framework creates disparities: some hospitals, thanks to local initiatives, invest in air conditioning and patient monitoring, while others continue to operate with outdated systems.
Several facilities have already reported malfunctions of their air conditioning systems during heatwaves, forcing staff to use portable fans or transfer vulnerable patients. Without dedicated funding, energy improvement projects struggle to obtain the necessary budget approvals, even though the costs of inactivity or heat-related medical complications are much higher.
The official lack of recognition of the climate dimension in healthcare policies also hinders data collection. While Météo France provides detailed forecasts, hospitals lack integrated alert tools to anticipate heat or cold waves, limiting their ability to quickly implement protective measures.