ITV This Morning regular, Doctor Hilary Jones, is warning people that thanks to soaring energy costs with the much-needed winter fuel payments having been stopped for millions across the UK, many now face a cold winter and have to chose between freexing or being in debt.

The health expert is warning that vulnerable people face freezing temperatures and unaffordable heating bills this year. But with the rise of influenza, RSV, and COVID due to overwhelm the NHS this winter, which is facing its worst winter on record, the doctor is fighting for a change, urging people to do free tetsing at home.

Saying it could be one of the deadliest winter’s yet, Dr Jones explains: “The colder months make people more susceptible to serious illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and even heart attacks. This happens because colder temperatures can thicken the blood, increasing the risk of clots.

“Additionally, shorter days and longer nights can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as the winter blues, which often leads to depression and physical exhaustion. With heating becoming more expensive and many facing the absence of winter fuel payments, the threat of hypothermia is ever more present.”

To help people stay healthy, Dr Hilary is giving the nation free Newfoundland health MOT test kits to help people monitor their health at home with the kits designed to catch any issues early, reducing the need for hospital visits and in turn, saving lives. These free kit include 7 tests for Bowel Health, Thyroid, Vitamin D, Kidney Health, Iron Deficiency, Menopause and Male Fertility, all with a retail value of £67.

Dr Hilary continued: “This year, as flu, RSV and COVID cases rise earlier, the British Medical Association have warned this could be the worst winter on record for the NHS. It’s important now more than ever that we all do what we can to support vulnerable and elderly.

“The findings by the British Medical Association show that we should be doing everything we can to support our beloved NHS. Self-testing is a key part of this – it empowers us to take our health in our hands, and allows us to make informed decisions on when we should lean on health services.

“Beyond the pressures of winter illnesses, we should test for a myriad of health issues. By doing so, we can then reduce the pressure our essential services are facing. Of course, if your symptoms are urgent you should contact the appropriate healthcare authorities e.g., 111 or 999.”

Michael Hodnett, Co-founder of Newfoundland, added: “As reports claim the NHS is set to see the worst winter on record, we want to do our part in helping the nation take control of their health, save NHS time and potentially save lives. With nearly half a million free health tests available through convenient pop-up locations and an exclusive online bundle there has never been a better time for the nation to take their health into their own hands.”

Get your free Newfoundland health MOT kit here.