People being urged to stay home to protect the NHS

WITH temperatures plummeting overnight, clinical teams in NHS Tayside’s emergency departments are encouraging people to stay at home to avoid icy conditions.

In the past few weeks NHS Tayside has seen a sharp increase in the number of people needing treatment for slip and trip injuries, such as broken bones including hip fractures, and minor head injuries, with many of those requiring surgery for their injuries.

Dr Julie Ronald, consultant in emergency medicine, is urging people in Tayside to avoid going out in wintry weather as much as possible to protect the NHS.

She said: “Winter is often a very busy period for our emergency department and we have experienced a marked increase in the number of patients with broken bones attending due to the icy conditions in recent weeks.

“This demand is on top of the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“To help protect the NHS, we are encouraging people not to go out in icy conditions unless it is absolutely necessary.

“If they do have to leave their homes, they should ensure they dress warmly, wear sensible shoes with a good grip and take care when on icy surfaces – and walk like a penguin.

“It’s important that everyone knows the way people access A&E services has changed in the past month across Scotland to make sure everyone gets the right care in the right place.

“If you think you need A&E but it’s not lifethreatening, you 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 either be directly referred to A&E by NHS 24 or a phone or video consultation with one of the clinical team.”

But the message is clear – stay at home where possible to avoid an injury.