Amber Cold Health Alert for the South East until Friday 19 January

Published: 15 January 2024

The Met Office and UKHSA have now upgraded the Yellow Cold Health Alert for the South East to Amber, to last until noon this Friday (19 Jan).

Amber Cold Health Alerts are issued when average temperatures are forecast to be below 2°C for five days, or below 0°C for 48hrs or more. This means weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, with potential for the whole population to be at risk. Non-health sectors may also start to observe impacts so a more significant coordinated response may be required.

These possible impacts include:

• Increasing mortality population-wide, focused on those aged 65+ and some other vulnerable groups (for example those sleeping rough) but with some effects among other groups (for example those with health conditions), and also in younger age groups.
• Increased demand for GP services, ambulance call out, remote healthcare services (NHS 111) may occur although this may be with a significant time lag. Staffing issues may arise due to external factors (for example transport disruption).
• Those using domiciliary care may not be able to access services because carers can no longer move easily between properties.
• Non-health sectors starting to observe impacts which may have knock-on effects for delivery of key public services leading to short term closures (for example for schools).

Below are some key resources you may find useful:   

General Guidance   

• Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• Cold weather and health: supporting vulnerable people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Specific guidance for your setting or sector    

• Cold-Health Alert action card for the voluntary and community sector - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• Cold-Health Alert action card for commissioners - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• Cold-Health Alert action card for health and social care providers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)