Sussex issued with amber cold-health alert

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has increased the alert for the county and all of the South East from yellow to amber as temperatures are set to plummet overnight and stay low throughout the week.

It is in place from 12pm on Monday, January 8, until 12pm on Friday, January 12.

The amber alert means significant impact to the health and social care sector is expected due to the forecast weather conditions.

The UKHSA has issued an amber cold weather alert for the South East of England (Image: UKHSA)

These include:

• observed increase in mortality across the population, particularly in the 65 and older 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 may fall below recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment
• maintaining indoor temperatures at recommended 18C may become challenging for some, leading to increased risk of vulnerable people
• staffing issues due to external factors such as travel delays
• other sectors such as transport and energy may start to see impacts

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “With the Met Office forecasting drops in temperature across the UK, it is important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.

“Cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, so it can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing health conditions.

“Temperatures are expected to turn particularly cold overnight, as we would expect at this time of year.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as your living room or bedroom, in the coming days.”