DoH launches Keep Warm Keep Well campaign

The Department of Health (DoH) has launched its Keep Warm Keep Well campaign to encourage older people to prepare for the colder climate coming in.

Central to the campaign is a new cold homes map which outlines potential areas of Britain which can suffer from particularly cold temperatures.

Advice is also given to the most vulnerable in the winter – the elderly, those on low incomes and the disabled – on how to stay warm during the drop in temperatures.

The health minister Ivan Lewis emphasised how important it was for people to stay warm during the cold winter months.

“There are millions of pounds of grants available for help with insulation and heating systems, and fuel payments to help older people, those on low incomes and disabled people,” he outlined.

He ended by urging those to plan ahead and find out what support is available to ensure the most vulnerable are protected against the winter.

Financial support for heating is available through the Warm Front Scheme and Winter Fuel payments with the total value of payments available in excess of ?1.5 million in 2005/06.

Earlier this week, the DoH published its annual health profile for England, with the figures showing the highest recorded life expectancy.