‘Keep an eye on the elderly’

Yesterday the East of England Ambulance Service issued a plea to people to look out for vulnerable people living near them during the cold weather, which the service says can cause problems for the elderly or those with illnesses.

Simple checks on neighbours and family can make all the difference, the service says.

Paul Leaman, operational partnerships director for the service, said: “You can be a good neighbour by keeping in touch with elderly relatives and neighbours to make sure that they are warm and have enough food and prescription medicines.

“Some people can be very susceptible to hypothermia and pneumonia when temperatures fall and something as simple as making sure they are warm and have access to hot food can make a lot of difference.”

He continued: “People with respiratory illnesses such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should keep their homes warm. If you are worried about how much it will cost to heat your home in the winter, contact your energy provider as you may be eligible for a discount. and pneumonia.

Advice from the service is to wrap up warm when going outside, ad wear a scarf over your mouth and neck to help stop cold air getting to your airways.

If you experience symptoms like worsening breathing, increased wheeze, cough, increased phlegm or change in colour of phlegm, or fever, seek medical advice so you can be treated before complications occur. Contact your local GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.