What an ice pack may provide — scant consolation? (4,7)
I believe the answer is:
cold comfort
'consolation?' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Poor consolation' mean 'cold comfort' so perhaps 'consolation' could also mean 'cold comfort')
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cold comfort that I've seen before include "Little, if any, consolation" , "minimal (if any) soothing" , "No consolation - Stella Gibbons' farm" , "Inadequate consolation (on a farm?)" , "What's offered by an ice pack after injury" .)