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Calls to action

This winter, fear of COVID-19 should not prevent action to tackle the risks from cold temperatures and winter weather. It is critical that these preventative actions continue, including identifying and supporting vulnerable people at risk, with necessary adaptations in line with COVID-19 guidance to keep everyone safe.

The Cold Weather Plan for England (CWP) aims to prevent the major avoidable effects on health during periods of cold weather by raising both professional and public awareness. It is a key component of emergency planning and longer term strategic planning, and provides advice for professionals, organisations and individuals to enable them to plan for and respond to cold temperatures.

The CWP is underpinned by the Cold Weather Alert Service, which runs annually from 1 November to 31 March. It comprises 5 levels (Levels 0-4), with each alert level triggering a series of actions from the NHS, local government and public health system, which are detailed in the Plan.

This edition of Health Matters provides calls to action that be used by everyone but also specific actions for:

• 
  health and social care commissioners and Directors of Public Health
  
• 
  providers of health and social care in all settings
  
• 
  community and voluntary sector
  
• 
  national organisations