St Richard's Hospital in Chichester running as usual

“Cold weather is serious and claims lives every year,” said a spokeswoman. “In particular, it can make heart and respiratory conditions worse and can seriously affect those in or approaching fuel poverty that are unable to afford to heat their homes adequately.”

As of 10.30am this morning all services were running normally at St Richard’s Hospital, however a spokesman said this could change later in the day if the weather worsened.

No outpatient clinics have been cancelled at St Richards, however at Queen Alexandra Hospital all outpatient clinics have been cancelled.

The hospital said it was because they did not want to put patients at risk if they are travelling.

However a hospital spokeswoman added if any patient did manage to make it in for an outpatient clinic then they would be seen.