The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency have announced a amber cold-health alert for the East of England. This alert is now in effect from 10AM on 06/01/2026 until 12PM on 11/01/2026.

Cold weather can affect anyone, and certain groups are particularly vulnerable. These include older people (aged 65 years and over), pregnant women, young children (particularly those aged 5 and under), and people with long term health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a mental health condition.

For guidance on staying warm and well, visit our cold weather advice page.

Medicines management

  • Mid and South Essex Medicines Optimisation Committee

    The Mid and South Essex Medicines Optimisation Committee (MSEMOC) is a forum for healthcare professionals to make decisions on how best to use medicines in the local area.

  • Shared care medicines

    Shared care medicines are medicines where the responsibility of prescribing and monitoring is shared between your GP practice and your specialist.

  • Palliative care

    Palliative care is end of life care and support for people who are in the last months or years of their life.

  • Reducing medicines waste

    This page provides information on how the NHS and residents can tackle reducing medicines waste.

  • Drugs of low clinical value

    Some information on drugs of low clinical value and changes in how they are being prescribed.

  • ADHD prescribing

    Information about ADHD medication prescribing and monitoring

  • Over-the-counter (self-care) medicines

    Over-the-counter medicines are administered for a wide range of minor health concerns.

  • Medicines Advice

    This page provides information about specific medicines and conditions, including information about how to take your medicines safely.

  • Drugs of dependence

    This page provides information on drugs of dependence and the different types of dependences.