Members of a doctors' union have called for a "national maximum workplace temperature", giving them the right to strike if it gets too hot. A motion put forward by the British Medical Association (BMA) urged the union to allow NHS staff to take "heat strike action" if the temperature rises above a certain point. If approved, all non-essential staff would be permitted to walk out.

The system would use a threshold to determine whether it's too hot, with estimates suggesting 24C affects staff concentration and 26C affects vulnerable patients. BMA's London regional council put forward the idea to be voted on next week. As well as the heat rules, the proposals include a call for more funding to keep NHS buildings cool. They claimed there was "evidence linking workplace heat to stress, poor health outcomes, reduced performance and decreased patient safety".

The BMA members added: "[The] escalating climate and health emergency is increasing the frequency and severity of heatwaves in the UK, such that extreme working temperatures are very likely to become ever more common."

A report by campaign group Round Our Way previously found that "high temperatures also pose an occupational health risk to NHS staff".

"Cognitive performance" of doctors and nurses decreased at 24C, the report said, lowering their productivity.

Daniel Elkeles, CEO of NHS Providers, added that "heatwaves pile more pressure on stretched NHS services". He highlighted the need for better infrastructure to cope with future heatwave,s as many buildings currently require repairs.

He told The Telegraph: "A lot of ageing NHS buildings and equipment - with almost £14 billion needed for essential repairs - aren't built to cope with very hot weather."

This comes as the Met Office warned of an incoming heatwave this weekend, with temperatures of 34C possible on Saturday.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, explained: "The highest temperatures from this hot spell are forecast for Saturday, with low 30s Celsius fairly widely across England, and up to 34°C possible in eastern areas.

"Despite this, the more uncomfortable heat will be in northern and western areas initially, where, despite somewhat lower temperatures, the air will be more humid."

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) subsequently issued an Amber Heat Health Alert for the whole of England as the weather is likely to impact the health and wellbeing of the country.

The rare amber alert covers a wide stretch of England, including the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, and the South West.