WSCC Resilience and Emergencies Team say:

Update 6 January 2024: The Amber cold health alert is now extended from 12PM on 06/01/2025 until 12PM on 12/01/2025 across the South East.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued an AMBER Cold Health Alert for the South East of England from 

Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including:

- A rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups.
- A likely increase in demand for health services
- Temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks
- Challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18oc leading to more risk to vulnerable people
- Staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)
- Other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)

This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Adverse Weather Health Plan
View the full warning at the Cold-Health Alert platform site.

Cold weather can affect your health. The people most likely to be affected are the elderly, the very young, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you know or look after someone that may be susceptible to the effects of this cold weather period please help make sure that they stay warm and well, and if possible check in advance that they are prepared for this cold spell.

Stay tuned in to weather forecasts
Check room temperatures and maintain it at 18C or warmer
Keep warm and active and if you have to go out dress warmly and wear non slip shoes.
If you are concerned about your own health or welfare or that of others please alert the emergency services.

For more information:

Met Office Cold-Health Alert platform
NHS Keep Warm Keep Well leaflet
WSCC  Dealing with extreme weather
WSCC Preparing for emergencies
WSCC Report a road and footway issue
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