NHS warns about rising numbers of illnesses in response to energy price rises.
The NHS Confederation says the UK is facing a “humanitarian crisis” as they ask government to take action.
In response, the government said action was already taken with the NHS support.
The action includes the £400 payments to every household this autumn to help pay energy bills.
Matthew Taylor, a former Labour Party adviser, said: “Many people could face the awful choice between skipping meals to heat their homes and having to live in cold, damp and very unpleasant conditions.
“This in turn could lead to outbreaks of illness and sickness around the country and widen health inequalities, worsen children’s life chances and leave an inedible scar on local communities.”
In a letter to ministers, NHS leaders warn that if people are forced to live in cold homes and cannot afford nutritious food, then their health will quickly deteriorate and the NHS will be left to pick up the pieces.
The Confederation warned that cold homes are already linked to 10,000 deaths a year.
In addition to causing physical problems, the NHS have also warned about the massive impact this could have on mental health and well-being.
With state pension currently being £9,627.80 a year, older people are one the groups that could be more impacted by this price rise.
This adds to a recent survey that showed that more than a third of people across England, Wales and Scotland are already cutting back on food and essentials in order to help with the cost of living.
In response to an expected staff shortage due to the prices rise, the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that it is looking at how to recruit new staff.
A spokesperson said: “Our new international recruitment Taskforce is considering innovative ways to boost staffing numbers within health and adult social care.
“As part of this, we will work with the sector and recruitment experts to examine how to recruit staff from overseas more effectively into adult social care.”