The amber cold-health alert, issued across the East of England by the UK Health Security Agency, in association with the Met Office, has been extended.
The warning is now in effect 9am on Tuesday, with a matrix score of 12. Across south Essex, temperatures of at least -4C are forecast on Saturday, alongside mist and wintry conditions.
Friday will start very cold with a severe frost and some ice and freezing fog in places⚠️
Sunny for many but wintry showers are possible on North Sea coasts.
Staying below freezing well into the morning, but less cold in the far southwest with rain, hill snow and icy surfaces. pic.twitter.com/WGd23dRxpf
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 9, 2025
This means the forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, with the Government department warning of:
- An increase in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with existing health conditions, with potential impacts on younger age groups as well.
- A likely rise in demand for health services.
- Temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below recommended levels for health safety.
- Difficulties maintaining indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C, increasing risks for vulnerable people.
- Staffing challenges due to external factors such as travel delays.
- Impacts starting to affect other sectors, such as transport and energy.
It comes as NHS services across mid and south Essex remain under significant pressure, with rising demand for primary care, hospital services, mental health, and emergency services.
Basildon and Southend hospitals are seeing high numbers of patients, including those with chronic respiratory conditions often worsened by cold weather, as well as cases of influenza, norovirus and Covid.
Patients are urged to think carefully before visiting south Essex’s emergency departments and calling 999 as the NHS faces this significant demand.