A rare Amber cold weather health alert has been issued for the West Midlands, a warning only given by the UK government during icy periods that could heavily impact the health system. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the warning as freezing temperatures are forecasted in the West Midlands over this weekend.
Today’s (January 11) mercury is set to hover around 0C, but it could feel as cold as -2C at times, warns the Met Office. Similar freezing temperatures are also predicted for tomorrow.
The Amber alert indicates that the cold weather is likely to increase demand on the nation’s health service, potentially causing staffing issues due to the cold weather. Hospitals, care homes and clinics could see temperatures drop below recommended levels within their facilities.
The UKHSA further warns that the freezing weather poses a risk to older parts of the population, potentially leading to an increase in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over. However, younger age groups could also be affected.
Read more: Cold weather payments – full list
For households in the region, the UKHSA warns of challenges in maintaining the indoor temperature at the recommended 18C, increasing the health and wellbeing risks for vulnerable people, reports Birmingham Live.
The health system might not be the only one to feel the brunt of the impending cold, as the transport and energy sectors could also face challenges. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has elevated the situation for the West Midlands, issuing an Amber cold health alert that will stay in force until 9am on Tuesday (January 14).
This alert is among nine similar warnings covering the entirety of England. Cold health alerts come in three tiers: yellow, amber, and red.
Click here for further details. These advisories are part of the Cold Weather Health Watch system, a joint effort between the UKHSA and the Met Office.
A statement released on the UK government’s official website reads: “Amber alerts are issued in situations in which the expected impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, where there is potential for the whole population to be at risk, and where other sectors apart from health may also start to observe impacts, indicating that a coordinated response is required.”
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides Cold Weather Payments
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