Lleida’s Arnau de Vilanova Hospital has begun treating its first cases of dizziness linked to high temperatures, with the patients described as elderly people with existing health conditions.
The cases have appeared in May, earlier than the period when heat-related medical attention is usually more common. A scientific study on the impact of extreme temperatures on Catalan emergency services has found that dizziness and heatstroke increase activity in these departments, underlining the need for summer care plans.
At the same time, schools in the Lleida area are facing serious heat problems. The Manuel de Pedrolo institute in Tàrrega plans to report the Department of Education to the Labour Inspectorate, with support from union prevention delegates, after what it says has been a lack of measures to deal with high temperatures.
The school’s complaint is based on data from the Aules que Cremen platform, which collects reports about excessive heat in classrooms. Gerard Balcells, the institute’s occupational risk prevention coordinator and a teacher, said prevention services measured temperatures last academic year when classrooms were at 30 degrees and produced a report calling for preventive action.
The school says it has already taken steps such as cross-ventilation and lowering blinds, but the report also recommended technical improvements for the Department of Education, including better enclosures, awnings or air conditioning. Balcells said no execution schedule has been provided despite repeated requests.
The situation worsened on Thursday and Friday, when first-floor classrooms reached 31 degrees and several classes had to move to the patio. At the Canigó institute in Almacelles, classroom temperatures went above 35 degrees, and management said it was difficult to work in those conditions. The school bought 14 fans on its own because the ones provided by Education were not enough, and some students there have also felt dizzy because of the heat.
Lleida city also recorded a new May temperature record of 37.5 degrees on Friday. It was the May with the most days above 35 degrees so far, with four, and the night from Thursday to Friday stayed close to tropical levels. For readers following wider coverage of the issue, see our news page.
