Rare amber cold health alert for East Midlands extended as temperatures could drop as low as -10C

A health alert issued warning of the "significant impact" the cold weather could have on health services has been extended. The alert for the East Midlands, which was due to expire at noon on Sunday, January 12, has now been extended until noon on Tuesday, January 14.

It means the warning will now run for a total of eight days, having come into force at noon on Monday, January 6. The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), which issues health alerts, has warned of an increased demand for health services and a rise in deaths, "particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions."

The UKHSA said: "Forecast weather is expected to have significant impacts across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions; a likely increase in demand for health services; temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks; challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people; staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays) and other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)."

Cold health alerts are issued between November 1 and March 31. The UKHSA says that this week's forecast weather is likely to have impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and greater risk to life of vulnerable people.

The warning also states that some hospitals and healthcare settings may struggle to keep buildings above the recommended minimum of 18C. Temperatures in some rural parts of the East Midlands could fall as low as -10C overnight this week as the bitterly cold spell continues.