There is an Amber Cold Health Alert in place for the South West between 08/01/2024 at 12:00 and 12/01/2024 at 12:00. A brisk north-easterly wind is in place across the south, with added wind chill making it feel much colder. Temperatures are likely to be at least a few degrees below average across much of the UK.
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).