Warning as injuries from falls surge
Professor Stephen Cusack, who heads up Cork University Hospital’s Emergency Department, said, since the cold spell began, the hospital has experienced a dramatic surge in the number of pedestrians suffering dislocations, minor fractures and sprains. Dr Cusack said the public should be aware of the need to tread carefully, especially on pavements, driveways and garden paths.
“We have had the equivalent of a slow-burning major incident. We have had over 55 people admitted with orthopaedic injuries (at CUH) following slips on the ice. This is roughly the equivalent of two weeks of regular trauma work in this hospital. It is quite extraordinary and people really need to be very careful. Anybody who is in any way unsteady on their feet should just not be outside in this weather. Please, please do not go out walking,” he said.
