UKHSA SOUTH WEST PRESS RELEASE – Amber Cold-Health Alert issued by UKHSA and the Met Office for the South West and other regions

Under the new CHA system introduced by UKHSA and the Met Office, an amber alert means that cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time, with potential for the whole population to be at risk and where other sectors may also start to observe impacts, indicating a coordinated response is required.

Professor Dominic Mellon, Regional Deputy Director for UKHSA South West said:

“With the Met Office forecasting drops in temperature across the UK including the South West this week, it is important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.

“Cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections, so it can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing health conditions.

“Temperatures are expected to turn particularly cold overnight, as we would expect at this time of year. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65 it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as your living room or bedroom, in the coming days.”

Here are the ways in which you can keep yourself and others safe during periods of cold weather:

• check the weather forecast and the news
• make sure you have sufficient food and medicine
• take simple measures to reduce draughts at home
• keep bedroom windows closed
• wear multiple layers of thinner clothing
• if you’re eligible, get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19
• get help if needed – call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency

Further information

At the start of November 2023, our new CHA system in partnership with the Met Office went live. Stay across the alerts that have been issued in your region.

As part of the launch of the Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP), UKHSA has updated its guidance on staying safe in cold weather.

To check the latest weather forecast updates, visit the Met Office website or app.

UKHSA has supplemented the AWHP with top tips for keeping warm and Keeping warm and well guidance.

For people struggling to afford heating bills, Simple Energy Advice provides free advice on energy efficiency and national grants that are available to help keep you warm this winter.

If people can’t heat all the rooms they use, it’s important to heat the rooms they spend most time in (for example, the living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep). They should aim to heat these rooms to at least 18 degrees if they can. Wearing a few thin layers is better at trapping heat than wearing one thick layer.