Health Alert

Published on 8 January 2024

Dear Crofters,

Please see message below received by the parish council today:

Overall Risk Score – AMBER (12)

General Overview – Significant impacts are probable across the health and social care sector due to forecast weather conditions, including: observed increase in mortality across the population, particularly in the 65+ age group or those with certain underlying health conditions, but impacts may also be seen in younger age groups; increased demand for remote health care services likely; internal temperatures in care settings (e.g. hospitals, care homes and primary care settings) may fall below recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment; maintaining indoor temperatures at recommended 18°c may become challenging for some, leading to increased risk of vulnerable people; staffing issues due to external factors (e.g. travel delays); other sectors may start to observe impacts (e.g. transport and energy).

AMBER Cold-Health Alert – (Enhanced cold weather response) has been updated for the North West and is in effect between 07/01/2024 at 12:00 and 12/01/2024 at 12:00.

Please access the Weather-Health Alert Dashboard for more information on the National Weather Overview: click here

Please note that the Met Office may issue National Severe Weather Warnings (e.g. snow and ice) with short notice that you need to be aware of, so you can take appropriate action to prepare for. Click on the following link to access the Met Office National Severe Weather Warning Service

See attachment

Overview of weather conditions

The latest forecast details are available via the Met Office: Find a forecast

See attachment

Risk Matrix

Cold-Health impact risk scores have been derived between the UKHSA and the Met Office for each region. Users are advised to refer the regional risk score to the matrix.

All organisations, but especially those providing health and social care should be aware of the advice and guidance set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan, as to the actions necessary before and during a Cold-Health Alert Period. Specific advice is available in the links below.

Cold-Health Alerts are sent to the Chief Executive of every Health Trust provider of NHS commissioned care, Local Authority and Social Care Organisation in England. If you would like to add a colleague to receive these alerts, please go to: https://forms.office.com/e/Bw6mjea6qa. Feel free to share this link within your organisation, or anyone else you think may benefit from this service. If you would like to update your registration details, please complete the form here: Update registration details. If you would like to unsubscribe, please complete the form here: Unsubscription. If you have questions or technical problems with the subscription service, please complete the form here: Subscription enquiries.

The Cold-Health Alert Service operates in England from 1 November to 31 March each year, in partnership with the Met Office. This is the period when low temperatures are likely to occur. However, should low temperatures be observed or expected outside of this period, an extraordinary Cold-Health Alert will be issued and stakeholders are advised to take the usual public health actions.

To aid local planning, Local Resilience Forum (LRFs) and their regions can be found here: Guidance – Local Resilience Forums: Contact Details.

NEXT ISSUE:

Daily risk assessment are made in conjunction between the UKHSA and the Met Office. Should the alert level change in any region a new alert will be issued.