PATIENTS and staff at a hospital casualty department are facing a meltdown in the summer heatwave.

The lack of air conditioning at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton is causing misery.

One staff member fainted yesterday as nurses, doctors and porters battled to keep cool in the sizzling temperatures.

Sick and injured patients in the emergency waiting room are also feeling the heat.

Many are sticking to their seats with sweat as temperatures reach 35C.

The hospital has resorted to handing out ice lollies to keep workers cool.

A GMB union representative described the situation as “disgraceful”.

The Argus visited the department in Bristol Gate, Kemp Town, yesterday afternoon after a tip-off from medical staff.

One worker said: “It’s very hot and people are sweating – I’ve rolled up my trousers into shorts.

“Another porter fainted in the heat while they were in the staff room.

“It’s 35 degrees in the department and the air conditioner is broken, I think.

“We were given ice lollies yesterday which were nice.”

The Argus spent 20 minutes in the waiting room with other patients sweltering in the heat.

Our reporter, like most other patients, was glued to his seat with sweat.

Patients could be seen fanning themselves while the TV broadcast news items about the country’s heatwave.

Yesterday, Britain recorded its hottest July temperature ever.

Another anonymous hospital worker told The Argus: “It’s hot, we brought around ice lollies for everyone. It’s hot today but it was even hotter yesterday.”

The A&E department currently has no air conditioning unit.

The hospital declined to say whether the staff member’s fainting episode was an isolated incident.

Jayne Black, chief operating officer for Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are hoping to make conditions better for everyone over the next 12 months with new investment in air conditioning.

“In the meantime, we’ve been taking extra measures such as bringing in more fans, keeping lights off where possible, allowing summer uniform for staff and checking regularly that patients are staying hydrated.

“Staff across our hospitals have been working incredibly hard to keep patients safe and comfortable during the exceptionally hot weather we’ve had this week and I’d like to thank them all for their efforts, particularly in the older parts of the County buildings that are particularly affected.”

The hospital said the public can help the situation by not attending A&E unnecessarily.

GMB union’s Gary Palmer, who represents a number of hospital staff, believes urgent action is needed. He said: “It is disgraceful and ultimately, the trust is responsible for ensuring there is a safe working environment for employees, staff and visitors.

“If a member has had health issues or headaches, they must act now.

“Eventually is not good enough, I don’t want my members turning into patients.

“We all equate NHS staff to being resilient, but not only are they suffering and they can see their patients suffering too.”

There is no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures.

But Government guidance says that employers must stick to health and safety at work law, which includes keeping the temperature at a comfortable level.