In sweltering French hospital, air-conditioned waiting room offers some relief

Record heat in France has left hospitals sweltering—patients and staff crowd the air‑conditioned waiting room, cling to fans and even turn off lights to keep spaces cooler.
Staff warn the heat is wearing everyone down and can worsen patients’ conditions, reducing quality of care and morale.
Air conditioning is becoming a hot political debate: many argue it’s essential for hospitals and schools, while others warn it could raise energy use and fuel climate change.