The four-day alert is due to weather which is expected to impact health and social care services
A cold and frosty scene in Toton, Nottinghamshire(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)
A cold health alert has been issued for Nottinghamshire as freezing temperatures are expected to impact health and social care services.
The alert, put in place by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), covers the East Midlands region from 6pm on Tuesday, February 17, until 6pm on Friday, February 20.
It comes just a day after Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) stood down a three-day critical incident, which was declared on Friday, February 13, due to “significant pressures” across its services.
The trust said it had recorded increases in older patients, who often need to stay in hospital longer than usual, and those with respiratory problems.
Forecast weather is likely to have “minor impacts” on health and social care services, according to the UKHSA.
This includes an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and a greater risk to life of vulnerable people.
Temperatures are not expected to reach above 5C in Nottingham until Friday, dropping as low as -1C on some nights.
The UKHSA said: “While exposure to cold weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk. We have published guidance on staying safe during cold weather.”