Staff at the Minor Injuries Unit at Uckfield Hospital have been very busy of late, dealing with 35 people who have fallen over on ice and snow in the space of six days alone.
Helen Watts from the Minor Injuries Unit team at Uckfield says:
“The majority of our patients during both periods of recent cold weather have been hurt as a direct or indirect result of snow and ice.
Not only fractures, as well as bumps and bruises, but also more head injuries as a result of slipping on the ice.
We have also had the inevitable sledging accidents with people hitting trees and falling off their sledges.
The unit at Uckfield has remained fully open throughout the snow thanks to the dedication and team work of the staff, who worked extra shifts or even stayed overnight in the hospital to ensure they were here for work the next day!”
The local NHS Falls Prevention Team have issued advice to help people avoid falls, especially during the current snowy weather, as falls can have consequences which are life potentially life changing.
People can fall for lots of reasons during the current big freeze and the problem affects people of all ages, whether it be children hurting themselves while playing in the snow or adults falling on icy pavements while shopping.
Their top tips include:
- Older people are more at risk of serious and life changing injuries from falls and should not go out in the ice and snow.
This can be difficult, so people with older neighbours or relatives can help, by offering to collect shopping for example.
Remember, asking neighbours, friends or relatives for help is a sensible idea, not a trouble or burden.
- Good footwear is of the utmost importance, especially in snow and ice.
Walking in loafers, smooth soled shoes and high heeled shoes does not support the foot or provide any grip.
If you are walking to work its recommended that you wear sensible footwear, such as walking boots, on the way to work and change them when you get there.
- Using alpine ski poles is a good idea as the points of the poles go into the snow and ice to help provide support.
- It is a good idea not to carry shopping in both hands in icy conditions as you won't have any way of stopping yourself if you start to fall.
