Ice falls stall orthopaedic ops

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8458182.stm

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Some orthopaedic operations have been postponed due to the high number of people needing treatment after falling on ice, Belfast Health Trust has said.

In Belfast's Musgrave Park Hospital, 40 patients have had orthopaedic surgery on knees and hips postponed.

All NI trusts report an increase in fractures with more expected as people venture out as the thaw begins.

In the South Eastern Trust, there has been a 70% increase in the number of patients with fractures.

In the Western Trust's Trauma and Orthopaedic Department at Altnagelvin Hospital, surgeons treated 158 patients who required surgery as a result of slips and trips on ice.

That resulted in about 26 planned orthopaedic operations being cancelled.

In the Southern Trust, 45 people have required surgery, while in Antrim in one week, 97 people broke bones after venturing out on the roads and pavements.