Nurses are being banned from drinking water while on hospital wards despite a scorching heatwave sweeping the country, it's claimed.
A snap survey of 403 nursing staff by Nursing Notes found that 38 per cent were banned from drinking in clinical areas despite calls from NHS England’s Chief Nurse Ruth May to allow this.
It's claimed some senior managers wrongly believe it poses an infection risk.
The UK has basked in sizzling temperatures this week with highs expected to hit 37C come next Tuesday.
Several nursing staff have reported their clinical areas have already hit a blistering 40C.
On the water ban, one nurse told Nursing Notes: "It seems a bit hypocritical… We are told to encourage our patients to stay hydrated, but Matron comes around and throws away our water bottles from the nurses’ station”.
The website says there is little evidence to suggest that allowing resealable bottles poses any infection risk, and some hospitals first implemented the ban during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nurses United UK says there needs to be a "cultural shift" and implored staff to show compassion.
“We need to have a cultural shift in our profession. Nurses are human beings too. It’s why our patients want us there to use our compassion to care for them," he said.
“The managers who think it is acceptable to deny nurses water should be ashamed of themselves. How will our nurses care for us if we don’t care for them?
“As a matter of human decency and our patient safety, this “policy” needs to be challenged and grievances raised.”
In a post on Twitter, an NHS nurse in the East Midlands called Michelle said she was only allowed to drink water in the staff room while on a break, the MailOnline reports.
"We can’t have water on the workstation," she said.
"However, we can go to staff room and drink as much water as possible."
An NHS spokesperson told MailOnline that health staff should not be stopped from drinking water at their stations and that it's "vital" they should "stay hydrated, particularly in hot weather ".
On Twitter, Ruth May, NHS England's chief nurse, said: "I’ve heard reports that some #teamCNO colleagues are being told not to drink water at nurses stations.
"It’s crucial that all nursing, midwifery and care staff are able to drink water and stay hydrated during a shift at nursing stations or other convenient locations.
"This is especially important during the hot weather and as temperatures are set to rise. Equally, we need to ensure patients stay hydrated too. #BeatTheHeat."
The mercury is expected to soar into the mid 30s through the weekend before peaking next Tuesday and climbing to 37C in London, according to the BBC.
The existing record of 38.7C, set in 2019, could be shattered by next week's weather in some parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Downing Street refused to rule out a national heatwave emergency today, but said talks are still ongoing.
No10 said there were no plans “at the moment” for nationwide measures, despite a COBRA meeting on Monday to decide whether to declare the first-ever national heatwave emergency.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) could declare a “level four emergency” if the heat means that “illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy”.
A UKHSA spokesman told The Telegraph : "There's a possibility of a level four heatwave. If it gets above 40C, then it is likely to be a level four heatwave for the first time."
The Met Office's 'amber' extreme heat warning covers much of England and Wales from Sunday into Tuesday, meaning there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness, with adverse health effects likely across the population, especially among the young and elderly.
