Pensioners ‘trapped’ by ice

PENSIONERS claim they are “prisoners” in their own homes with more people also being admitted to A&E as freezing weather takes hold.

Temperatures plummeted overnight on Sunday and Monday with residents all over the city waking up to sheets of ice covering the roads and pavements.

And the big freeze was due to continue, with temperatures as low as -1C and sleet and snow forecast.

Jim Elder, 81, who lives in Beechwood, said: “We’re trapped here because of the pavements and roads. We’re effectively prisoners in our homes because it’s not safe to go outside because it is far too slippery. The council maintains it is gritting the roads and pavements but it is taking ages to get round all the streets and they are lethal.

“It seems there is no money for carrying out services such as gritting the roads and pavements.”

Dorothy McHugh of Dundee Pensioners’ Forum, added: “I have been inundated with calls from older people trapped in their homes again because of the council’s wholly inadequate response to the freezing conditions.

“There is a sheet of ice across the city. The pavements are treacherous.”

She has written to Dundee City Council leader John Alexander and said: “I told him I had four calls in one morning from older people in Dundee – Charleston, Kirkton and The Glens – complaining they can’t get beyond their front gate because of black ice.

“The side streets and pavements in St Mary’s are treacherous. Two members of neighbouring families have already ended up in A&E, having fallen on icy pavements.”

Dorothy added: “I understand there will be priorities for gritting to keep traffic flowing – but pedestrians need to move about as well.

“Older people who may already be frail still need to get out and make contact with the outside world.”

The A&E departments in Tayside’s hospitals seen an increase in people coming through the doors after falling on the ice.

NHS Tayside is advising anyone who needs emergency but nonlife-threatening treatment to call NHS 24 on 111 rather than going straight to A&E.

A spokeswoman said: “Our advice would be only to go outside if it is necessary and to take extra care when walking on icy roads and pavements.

“Anyone venturing outside should wear appropriate shoes with a good grip and several thin layers to help keep warm along with a coat, hat and gloves.

“If people fall and think they need to go to A&E, it is important to remember the way people access A&E services is changing to keep patients and NHS Scotland safe this winter – making sure everyone gets the right care in the right place.

“To ensure patients have the fastest access to the treatment they need, anyone with a non-lifethreatening condition who would usually go to A&E should now call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be directed to the right NHS service.

“If A&E is the most appropriate place to provide the right care, patients will be directly referred to A&E by NHS 24 or by a telephone or video consultation with a senior clinical decision maker.”

Dundee City Council has been approached for comment.

Jim Elder holds on to the railings outside his home.