THOUSANDS of pensioners who have faced a shocking ‘heat-or-eat’ dilemma have been admitted to hospital with cold-related illnesses over the last three winters.
Following cuts to winter fuel payments and the rising number of flu cases, Barnsley Hospital logged a total of 3,295 admissions for over-65s over the winter months between 2021 and 2024.
Freedom of Information statistics cite influenza, hypothermia, pneumonia, chest infections and bronchitis as main reasons, however healthcare leaders say the cost-of-living crisis - which has seen many remain in cold, unheated homes - has also been a major factor.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: “These latest figures show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the new year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospital and rising at a very concerning rate.
“While rising numbers of influenza and hypothermia are not a direct result of the government cuts to winter fuel payments, those over the age of 65 who were impacted the most have been admitted to hospitals more and more.
“In 2022, the number of elderly patients who were admitted to Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with a cold-related illness between August and December stood at 1,203.
“A year later, this number decreased to 1,200, which is the second-lowest number of hospital admissions over the three years.
“The past year has seen a drop in over 65 admissions, standing at 892.
“However, December 2024’s data is not final, as this will not have been fully coded by the clinical team.”
Local leaders previously came together to force potentially ‘life-saving’ changes - after it was revealed scores of pensioners who live alone in Barnsley got through last winter with no central heating.
Following government cuts to winter fuel payments and the rising number of flu cases, NHS trusts have seen more elderly patients admitted to hospital with cold-related illnesses.
Age UK said the last Census figures - which show 148 over-65s live in Barnsley homes with no central heating - are ‘of tremendous concern’ and urged the government to make sure preparations for next winter are better.
Caroline Abrahams, the charity’s director, added: “This is the first winter since the government decided to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) and it is a national scandal that so many older people are saying they are cold in their own homes, some, most or all of the time.
“The position of those on lower incomes is worse still, with one in three saying they are cold at home most or all of the time.
“We cannot and we must not go through this all over again next winter.
“Energy prices continue to rise and struggling older people must be better protected now and in the years to come.
“The government must ensure that older people are able to be sufficiently warm through the colder months - something that clearly isn’t the case at the moment.
“This winter has shown beyond any doubt that older people on low incomes and in vulnerable circumstances need more support with high energy prices that are expected to remain high for years to come and the government must respond.”
