Summary
At the start of the Met Office’s Winter season, Public Health England (PHE) has reminded the public to consider the possible impact of cold weather on elderly friends and family, and other at risk groups. The Cold Weather Plan and the Keep Warm Keep Well leaflet provide practical guidance.
Reference
First taste of winter. London [Online]: Public Health England, December 1st 2014.
The “Keep Warm Keep Well” leaflet offers advice on staying well in cold weather. It covers financial help, healthy lifestyles, flu jabs and heating. It supports Public Health England’s Cold Weather Plan.
Reference
“Keep Warm Keep Well” leaflet. London: HM Government, October 17th 2014.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended that local authorities should establish teams to assist people access grants and offer advice on staying warm. People such as plumbers, meter readers and heating engineers could have a role to play in reducing avoidable hospital admissions and avoidable ill-health / mortality.
Reference
Plumbers ‘should report cold homes’. London: BBC Health News, March 5th 2015.