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'Falling over in big numbers' 'Many falling' in icy conditions
(about 8 hours later)
People must be vigilant about their footwear in the coming daysPeople must be vigilant about their footwear in the coming days
Dr John Heyworth is head of the Accident and Emergency consultants and runs the emergency department at Southampton General Hospital.Dr John Heyworth is head of the Accident and Emergency consultants and runs the emergency department at Southampton General Hospital.
He has been reflecting on the burden the weather is putting on the NHS:He has been reflecting on the burden the weather is putting on the NHS:
"We are seeing evidence that people are still falling over in large numbers on the icy surfaces."We are seeing evidence that people are still falling over in large numbers on the icy surfaces.
My colleagues in A&E departments around the country are reporting that they are very busy with fractures because the paths are so treacherous and have not been cleared.My colleagues in A&E departments around the country are reporting that they are very busy with fractures because the paths are so treacherous and have not been cleared.
The pressures on the system are likely to last for several weeksThe pressures on the system are likely to last for several weeks
And it is from doing very basic activities like going to the shops for milk or a paper or going to work.And it is from doing very basic activities like going to the shops for milk or a paper or going to work.
But thankfully the numbers we are seeing who are suffering hypothermia from the cold are small.But thankfully the numbers we are seeing who are suffering hypothermia from the cold are small.
Complex fracturesComplex fractures
The problem is that some of the fractures are complex and need immediate surgery or stabilisation and then surgery in a few weeks.The problem is that some of the fractures are complex and need immediate surgery or stabilisation and then surgery in a few weeks.
So the pressures on the system are likely to last for several weeks.So the pressures on the system are likely to last for several weeks.
Even if we have a thaw now the problems will persist.Even if we have a thaw now the problems will persist.
The great majority of people we have seeing have not behaved in a reckless manner they are simply falling overThe great majority of people we have seeing have not behaved in a reckless manner they are simply falling over
Hospitals around the country are now refocusing their priorities on those who are waiting for fracture surgery.Hospitals around the country are now refocusing their priorities on those who are waiting for fracture surgery.
In the elderly this tends to be broken hips but we are seeing quite large numbers of younger people with broken ankles, wrists, shoulders and elbows who will need complex surgery to mend them.In the elderly this tends to be broken hips but we are seeing quite large numbers of younger people with broken ankles, wrists, shoulders and elbows who will need complex surgery to mend them.
So there is going to be sustained pressure on the hospitals for surgery and beds and we have already experienced gridlocks.So there is going to be sustained pressure on the hospitals for surgery and beds and we have already experienced gridlocks.
Most hospitals have cut beds in the last few years and this need for surgery puts too much pressure on the system.Most hospitals have cut beds in the last few years and this need for surgery puts too much pressure on the system.
'Big demand''Big demand'
We have seen some injuries from sledging and those have often involved head injuries from collisions with people, trees, fences and lampposts.We have seen some injuries from sledging and those have often involved head injuries from collisions with people, trees, fences and lampposts.
It is a type of injury we do not expect to see in such numbers and it is not the children, but their parents and grandparents who are coming off worst.It is a type of injury we do not expect to see in such numbers and it is not the children, but their parents and grandparents who are coming off worst.
A 10-year-old has softer bones and is falling from a lower height so can survive these impacts better.A 10-year-old has softer bones and is falling from a lower height so can survive these impacts better.
All of these patients will need extensive support afterwards and some will need stays in hospital to recover.All of these patients will need extensive support afterwards and some will need stays in hospital to recover.
So that will place a big demand on the hospital and the community in terms of the time they have to take off work.So that will place a big demand on the hospital and the community in terms of the time they have to take off work.
But the great majority of people we are seeing have not behaved in a reckless manner, they are simply falling over.But the great majority of people we are seeing have not behaved in a reckless manner, they are simply falling over.
Hospital staff have risen to the challenge and many have stayed overnight in hospitals to make sure they will be available.Hospital staff have risen to the challenge and many have stayed overnight in hospitals to make sure they will be available.
Orthopaedic surgeons in many hospitals have based themselves in A&E to help with assessing the fractures and prioritising the patients.Orthopaedic surgeons in many hospitals have based themselves in A&E to help with assessing the fractures and prioritising the patients.
We are already seeing routine operations being cancelled in order to cope with the demand for orthopaedic surgery.We are already seeing routine operations being cancelled in order to cope with the demand for orthopaedic surgery.
It depends what happens in the next seven to 10 days whether we will see major disruption to hospital waiting lists."It depends what happens in the next seven to 10 days whether we will see major disruption to hospital waiting lists."