Fears for NHS as wintry blast arrives
Even Italy shivers as schools are closed
Freezing temperatures are due to see Britain endure the coldest weather since 1991 this week as health officials warned that the extreme wintry blast may put additional strain on an already “grave” situation in the NHS.
FREEZING TEMPERATURES are due to see Britain endure the coldest weather since 1991 this week as health officials warned that the extreme wintry blast may put additional strain on an already “grave” situation in the NHS.
The latest wintry blast has brought freezing temperatures, with more than 20cm of snow expected to settle by tomorrow in some parts while forecasters have warned that another weather system, Storm Emma, will bring more blizzards, gales and sleet.
The storm is expected to move north through Europe and is due to hit the UK on Thursday and Friday, bringing with it the risk of power cuts and transport delays.
It has already caused chaos in Italy after an Arctic storm dumped enough snow to force schools to close and stall public transport. Italy’s civil protection agency decided to deploy the army to clear streets in Rome after just a few inches of snowfall paralysed the capital.
Parks which usually stay green through the winter were blanketed with snow. Even the Circo Massimo became a hotspot for snowball fights, while Piazza Navona, with its famed Bernini fountains, turned into a snow-dusted winter wonderland.
Mayor Virginia Raggi signed a ruling on Sunday evening closing public schools as a precaution, with many private ones following suit elsewhere in northern and central Italy. The storm also disrupted transport.
Meanwhile, in the UK, Met Office forecaster Frank Saunders said: “Parts of England and Wales are likely to see their coldest spell of weather since at least 2013, and possibly since 1991.
“This could lead to dangerous conditions on roads and pavements and have an impact on people’s health.”
The Society for Acute Medicine, which represents hospital specialists in acute medicine, said it had “great concern” for the NHS in the week ahead as snowy conditions grip the country.
Dr Nick Scriven, president of the society, said: “The onset of a spell of extremely cold weather is of great concern for acute medical units who are already struggling with the widely reported stresses of this winter.
“Daily temperatures below the normal ambient level increase illness and hospital admission rates for cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, particularly among those aged 65 and over.
“Last week’s performance figures showed an 11 per cent rise on the previous week in influenza admissions, along with sustained dangerously high bed occupancy rates, so the situation is grave.”
Amber warnings of snow have been issued by the Met Office for North-East, central and SouthEastern England today and spreading to eastern Scotland on Wednesday.
There are warnings that some rural communities could become cut off, with power outages and disruption to mobile phone services likely.
By the middle of the week, the majority of Britain is being warned of the potential for delays on the roads, trains and in the air.
Temperatures of minus 5C (23F) over the weekend were the lowest recorded in the week leading up to March 1 – the first day of spring – since 1986 while the wind chill, which could see parts of the UK feeling as cold as minus 15C (5F), rivals the temperatures forecast for parts of northern Norway and Iceland.
The Met Office said that tonight is expected to be a fine evening for most parts with clear spells but there will be snow showers, some of which will be heavy. These will be most frequent in eastern areas and tend to continue through the night. Tomorrow may see more bright spells and snow showers.
The onset of extremely cold weather is of great concern. Dr Nick Scriven, Society for Acute Medicine.