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| More injuries from snow for NHS | More injuries from snow for NHS |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Hospitals around the UK are reporting an increase in the numbers of injuries from falls because of the snow. | Hospitals around the UK are reporting an increase in the numbers of injuries from falls because of the snow. |
| The Department of Health says all the public services are under pressure and the NHS is working extremely hard to minimise the impact on patients. | The Department of Health says all the public services are under pressure and the NHS is working extremely hard to minimise the impact on patients. |
| It praised some trusts for postponing non-urgent surgery because of the severe winter weather. | It praised some trusts for postponing non-urgent surgery because of the severe winter weather. |
| And stressed it was important for everyone to think responsibly about using NHS resources. | And stressed it was important for everyone to think responsibly about using NHS resources. |
| Dr Charles Gutteridge, medical director of the Barts and The London NHS Trust, said: "We've seen a dramatic increase in people with simple strains and minor fractures of the ankle, elbow, forearm and shoulder. | Dr Charles Gutteridge, medical director of the Barts and The London NHS Trust, said: "We've seen a dramatic increase in people with simple strains and minor fractures of the ankle, elbow, forearm and shoulder. |
| "We haven't seen much major trauma. | "We haven't seen much major trauma. |
| "And I think that's because on the whole people are staying at home. | "And I think that's because on the whole people are staying at home. |
| "The ones we have seen slipped while walking to work." | "The ones we have seen slipped while walking to work." |
| Increased demand | Increased demand |
| All sites across the South Central region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are reporting that their emergency departments are very busy with minor injuries. | All sites across the South Central region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are reporting that their emergency departments are very busy with minor injuries. |
| A spokesman said: "During times of increased demand, we all need to think responsibly whether our health issues are a genuine emergency and use NHS resources carefully." | A spokesman said: "During times of increased demand, we all need to think responsibly whether our health issues are a genuine emergency and use NHS resources carefully." |
| The West Midlands Ambulance Service has said more than a quarter of the calls it received yesterday were because of falls. | The West Midlands Ambulance Service has said more than a quarter of the calls it received yesterday were because of falls. |
| The snow led to a 10% increase in calls across the region. | The snow led to a 10% increase in calls across the region. |
| The worst hit area was Birmingham & the Black Country with Staffordshire and Shropshire also affected. | The worst hit area was Birmingham & the Black Country with Staffordshire and Shropshire also affected. |
| Chief Operating Officer, Rob Ashford, said: "Yesterday we had a steady stream of people who had slipped and hurt themselves. | Chief Operating Officer, Rob Ashford, said: "Yesterday we had a steady stream of people who had slipped and hurt themselves. |
| "In some cases it was as simple as an elderly person going out to retrieve their morning milk and slipping. | "In some cases it was as simple as an elderly person going out to retrieve their morning milk and slipping. |
| "With the heavy frost expected tonight and snow still lying, it's absolutely vital that people help themselves and the ambulance service by being careful. | "With the heavy frost expected tonight and snow still lying, it's absolutely vital that people help themselves and the ambulance service by being careful. |
| "Why not show some community spirit and ensure that these people do not have to go out by getting in any supplies they might need?" | "Why not show some community spirit and ensure that these people do not have to go out by getting in any supplies they might need?" |
| Staff stretched | Staff stretched |
| The East Midlands NHS Trust said it was experiencing similar pressures and staff were coping with the increased demand: "Our staff are working extremely hard to minimise any disruptions to patient services. | |
| "However, people are asked to consider the most appropriate treatment before directly contacting the emergency services." | |
| NHS South West, which covers Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset, said: "Trusts are working hard to target resources where they are most needed. | NHS South West, which covers Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset, said: "Trusts are working hard to target resources where they are most needed. |
| "Staff are making extraordinary efforts to travel or are swapping shifts to provide cover where necessary." | "Staff are making extraordinary efforts to travel or are swapping shifts to provide cover where necessary." |
| In contrast, trusts in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East said their services were coping well. | In contrast, trusts in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East said their services were coping well. |