Snowflake Britain!
As Big Freeze arrives, NHS advises: Only go outside if it’s really necessary
The NHS was mocked yesterday after urging people not to go out in the snow unless it was ‘really necessary’.
After a large part of Britain found itself under a covering of snow, NHS england North issued its warning in a tweet along with advice on what to wear in the conditions.
The quango said the message was put up in error and it was deleted last night, but not before being cited as the perfect example of ‘snowflake Britain’.
One Tory MP, Andrew Percy, said: ‘Some countries have huge amounts of snowfall every winter and people still manage to go out and live their lives.
‘Of course people need to take care, but we don’t need turning into snowflakes because of a few snowflakes.’
The full tweet from NHS england North said: ‘With temperatures dropping and snow beginning to fall in the North east of england, it is vital that you only go outside if it is really necessary. If you do venture outdoors, please make sure you wear appropriate footwear and clothing.’
Although the tweet was deleted, a range of other cold-weather advice posted by the quango remained on Twitter, plus a link to a Met Office advice page urging people to stock up in case of bad weather which means they have to leave home quickly or their power and water are disrupted.
NHS england North also warned people: ‘Keeping warm over winter helps prevent colds, flu and even more serious health conditions.’
Forecasts of a prolonged cold spell also prompted Public health england to issue advice on keeping warm and keeping an eye on vulnerable relatives and neighbours. But it was accused of being patronising and treating people ‘like idiots’ after publishing suggestions on its blog that included ‘moving around’ and ‘wiggling fingers and toes’.
An NHS england North spokesman said its tweet was a slip-up and ‘does not reflect official NHS advice’. She added: ‘This advice was given to frail and elderly people when the Beast from the east struck last year and posted in error yesterday.’
There seems no danger of the Beast returning just yet, but the Met Office said more snow is expected today and over the weekend because of a succession of weather fronts from an area of low pressure attempting to move eastwards and hitting cold air.
Yesterday’s snow fell as far south as some London suburbs. Those in eastern Britain between Northumberland and Suffolk were expected to find up to an inch of snow on their doorsteps this morning. Met Office spokesman Nicola Maxey said: ‘We are seeing typical winter weather, with a mixture of rain, sleet and snow across the country.
‘The wintry showers are mostly in the north and on the east coast, but there is also a chance of the odd flurry inland from the west coast as well.’
More wintry weather is expected over the weekend, with clear skies bringing a harsh frost on Sunday night, followed by a sunny day on Monday.
Another weather front is expected to bring further snow on Tuesday and the Met Office predicts cold weather will remain in charge until as far ahead as mid-February. It means a mixture of cold and bright days, frosts and bands of rain, sleet and snow.
Treating people like idiots