The cold weather plan gives advice to help prevent the major avoidable effects on health during periods of cold weather in England.
Protecting health in cold weather
The Cold Weather Plan for England, published annually since 2011, is a framework intended to protect the population from harm to health from cold weather. It aims to prevent the major avoidable effects on health during periods of cold weather in England by alerting people to the negative health effects of cold weather, and enabling them to prepare and respond appropriately. It recommends a series of steps to reduce the risks to health from cold weather for:
- the NHS, local authorities, social care, and other public agencies
- professionals working with people at risk
- individuals, local communities and voluntary groups.
The current plan (last updated September 2022) continues to build on the experience of developing and improving the ability of the health and social care sector and its partners to deal with significant periods of cold weather.
- GOV.UK: Guidance: Tips for staying warm and well this winter
- GOV.UK: Cold weather plan for England: protecting health and reducing harm from cold weather
- Met Office Weather Warnings Guide
- Met Office Weather Ready Guides
- Sign up to the Met Office Cold Weather Alerts
- Cold weather plan: action cards for cold weather alert service
- Guidance from The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
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- Helping to prevent winter deaths and illnesses associated with cold homes
- Helping to prevent winter deaths and illnesses associated with cold homes: A quick guide for home care managers
- Preventing excess winter deaths and illness associated with cold homes (Quality standard QS17)
- Illnesses associated with cold homes
- Cold weather risks and COVID-19
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Knowledge Hub: Cold weather health risks and COVID-19: actions to prevent harm
