Hospitals will be facing a “humanitarian crisis” this winter unless the Tory government takes action over the rising cost of heating homes, health chiefs have warned. NHS leaders said there is an “unprecedented” risk of death from cold homes this winter unless ministers intervene on energy costs.
Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said research by the organisation has shown up to 10,000 people die from under-heated homes in an average year. The situation, the confederation said, will be far worse this winter with households facing bills of over £4,000 by January amid warnings that four million Scots will face fuel poverty.
Matthew Taylor said: “The country is facing a humanitarian crisis. Many people could face the awful choice between skipping meals to heat their homes and having to live in cold, damp and very unpleasant conditions. This in turn could lead to outbreaks of illness and sickness around the country and widen health inequalities, worsen children’s life chances, and leave an indelible scar on local communities.”
