Winter news and guidance

NHS England’s winter news, advice from Clinical Directors and blogs can be found here.

It is important the public know what they need to do to keep well and advice on how to keep well and where to get expert advice will be given throughout the winter and can be found on NHS Choices.

Cold weather alert: level 3 – cold weather action

Issued at 8.47am on Friday 3 March 2023. There is a 90% probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow between 12.01am on Monday 6 March and 11.59pm on Thursday 9 March in parts of England.  This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Find […]

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Cold weather alert: Level 2 – alert and readiness

Issued at 10.56am on Thursday 2 March 2023. There is at least a 60% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow between Monday 6 March and midnight on Wednesday 8 March across England.  This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Find out more about staying well this […]

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NHS weekly winter operational update for the week ending 26 February 2023

Commenting on the NHS Weekly Winter Operational Update for the week ending 26 February 2023, NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “There are almost 5,000 more patients in NHS hospital beds every day compared to this time last year and the average number of patients in hospital who no longer meet the […]

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NHS weekly winter operational update for the week ending 19 February 2023

Commenting on the NHS performance figures published today, NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “Today’s figures show pressure on the NHS remains high with almost 5,000 more patients in hospitals than this time last year, while Covid cases continue to increase. “Despite this, NHS staff are working remarkably hard and we now have […]

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Cold weather alert: Level 2 – alert and readiness

Issued at 8:50am on Monday 6 February 2023. There is a 60% probability of severe cold weather between 9am on Monday 6 February and midday on Wednesday 8 February in parts of England.  This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Find out more about staying well this […]

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Cold weather alert: Level 2 – alert and readiness

Issued at 8:46am on Friday 3 February 2023. There is a 60% probability of severe cold weather between 6pm on Sunday 5 February and 6pm on Tuesday 7 Febraury in parts of England.  This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Find out more about staying well this […]

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NHS weekly winter operational update for the week ending 29 January 2023

Responding to the NHS performance figures published today, NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “While there have been continued improvements in ambulance handovers and there are now fewer flu patients in hospital compared to the peak last month, today’s figures show that NHS staff remain under significant pressure. “Last week saw more people […]

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Cold weather alert: Level 1 – winter preparedness and action

Issued at 11:55am on Saturday 28 January 2023. Temperatures/weather conditions are not expected to exceed cold weather alert threshold criteria in any region from midday on Saturday 28 January until further notice. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Find out more about staying well this winter. […]

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Handover delays fall despite increase in patients being taken to A&E by ambulance

Ambulance waits outside A&E reduced despite thousands more people being taken to hospital last week and continued pressures across the NHS, new figures show today. The weekly winter data, published today, shows ambulances transported 77,937 patients to A&Es across the country last week, up from 72,009 the week before. Despite the increase in patients, fewer […]

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