UKHSA has published the first Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) for England.
The Plan outlines key areas where the public sector, independent sector, voluntary sector, health and social care organisations, local communities and authorities can work together to maintain and improve integrated arrangements for planning and response to deliver the best outcomes possible during adverse weather and improve existing guidance on weather and health.
The Plan has been developed by scientists and public health experts in the UKHSA’s new Centre for Climate and Health Security and brings together and builds on the previous Heatwave Plan for England and the Cold Weather Plan for England. This new annual document includes:
- A collection of supporting evidence published in parallel, that underlines the scientific evidence that supports the plan;
- Updated weather-health alerts developed in partnership with the Met Office;
- New and updated guidance and supporting materials, providing advice on how to stay safe during severe weather events, such as periods of extreme heat and cold.
UKHSA is working with the Met Office to create a new dedicated platform for heat health alerts to support the Plan, to be launched June 2023, and for cold health alerts to be launched by November 2023.
You can read more about the plan here news story