The British National Health Service (NHS) appealed to the Government to take action regarding rising energy prices, while Great Britain is facing a "health emergency".

The Confederation of NHS today sent a letter to ministers, warning that rising costs mean people will have to choose between skipping meals to heat their homes or living in cold or wet conditions this winter.

The NHS says it is concerned that widespread fuel poverty will add to the high number of annual deaths linked to cold homes, estimated at 10.000, as well as adding pressure to an already overburdened health system.

– The country is facing a humanitarian crisis. Many people may be faced with the dire choice between skipping meals to heat their homes or having to live in cold, damp and quite uncomfortable conditions. This, in turn, can lead to disease outbreaks, worsen children's life chances and leave a lasting scar on local communities, NHS confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor said.

According to Taylor, these diseases could hit "just as the NHS is likely to experience its worst winter ever".