The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber Cold-Health Alert covering Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and the North West. All other regions in England are on a yellow alert from 12:00 on Monday 17 November until 08:00 on Saturday 22 November, following Met Office forecasts of a sustained cold spell.
Under the joint UKHSA–Met Office Weather-Health Alerting system, an amber Cold-Health Alert signals that cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the health service for an extended period. It indicates elevated risk across the population and that other sectors may begin to see effects, prompting a coordinated response across agencies.
Cold-Health Alerts are distinct from the Met Office’s National Severe Weather Warning Service. The UKHSA/Met Office health alerts focus on the health consequences of adverse weather in England and are designed to support planning by health and social care. The NSWWS, by contrast, highlights hazardous weather such as snow and ice across the UK. The two systems run side by side; additional snow or ice warnings can be issued at short notice and may coincide with, or be separate from, health alerts.
UKHSA notes that a prolonged cold spell typically drives higher demand for NHS and social care. The greatest clinical risk falls on people aged 65 and over, those with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, and people sleeping rough. Cold exposure is associated with increased incidence of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, so early identification of deterioration is essential.
For providers and commissioners, the alert window is a preparedness signal. Services should review capacity, ensure discharge and community pathways are resilient to cold conditions, and increase proactive contact with known high‑risk patients. Care homes and domiciliary care teams should confirm heating and hot water arrangements, check winter clothing and bedding stocks, and ensure clear escalation processes if residents become unwell.
Primary care networks and community pharmacies can help by aligning repeat prescriptions and arranging delivery for patients who may be unable to travel safely. Voluntary and community groups are encouraged to increase welfare checks and signpost available warm spaces. Ambulance and urgent care services should anticipate higher call volumes and adjust rotas where needed.
Public advice from UKHSA emphasises simple protective steps during cold periods: keep living spaces warm, wear several light layers, maintain good nutrition and hydration, and minimise prolonged time outdoors in very cold or icy conditions. Friends, families and neighbours are encouraged to check in on older people and those with long‑term health problems.
UKHSA and the Met Office will continue to review conditions through the week. Alerts can be upgraded, extended or cancelled if the forecast changes. Service leads and the public should keep monitoring official channels for any National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice that could affect local transport, gritting and school operations.