NHS England has issued a health alert ahead of coming cold weather.
A Level 3 alert was raise after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning that stated there was a 99 per cent probability of severe cold weather between 9am on Friday, February 23 amd 8am Thursday, March 1.
• Read more: Warning for snow in Suffolk and Essex as Beast from the East approaches
The NHS is advising that the icy and conditions could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.
A level 3 alert is the second most severe alert the NHS will issue, level 4 being the most serious and only issued in times of major crisis.
The level 3 alert advises medical staff to prepare for a surge in demand as more people get ill and need help. It also advises everyone, health workers and civilians alike, to check up on vulnerable or elderly neighbours, dress warmly and ensure you have lots of food and hot drinks as well as any medications you may need.
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