Information last updated: 8 June 2023

The NHS Core Standards for EPRR includes the requirement for NHS organisations to have effective arrangements in place for adverse weather events in line with current guidance and legislation.

To support these arrangements, UKHSA has published its Adverse Weather and Health Plan. This is a single plan, bringing together and improving previous guidance on weather and health. It builds on existing measures taken by government, its agencies, NHS England and local authorities, to protect individuals and communities from the health effects of adverse weather and to build community resilience.

The AWHP includes:

• Guidance and support materials for health and social care professionals; commissioners; voluntary and community sectors and the public. This includes:
  • AWHP: heat advice
  • AWHP: cold weather advice
  • Flooding: health guidance and advice
  • Public health impact of drought: advice for the public

• Where to sign up for alerts
  • Weather-Health alerts system (heat and cold), developed in collaboration with the Met Office. We urge NHS and Social Care organisations, including private nursing, care and residential homes providing support to vulnerable clients to sign up to receive the new Heat-Health alerts by registering at the following link: forms.office.com/e/Bw6mjea6qa
  • You can sign up to Met Office weather warnings via the Met Office website
  • You can sign up for flooding alerts via the GOV.UK

UKHSA has published further guidance material, particularly related to keeping safe during periods of severe and extreme heat.

Advice for the public 

General winter health advice is available on the NHS.uk website.

Advice for coping in hot weather is available on the NHS.uk website.

Advice for the public on flooding is available on the GOV.uk website.