Hospital is bracing itself for the ‘fall-out’ from the weather

The already over-run Letterkenny University Hospital A&E is already bracing itself for the fall-out from our current bad weather.

Fractured wrists and hips are top of the list for people out and about in the snow and ice.

Orthopaedic surgeon Peter O’Rourke, of Letterkenny Hospital, said hip and wrist fractures are very common in heavy snow conditions.

He revealed “In 1982, during the heavy snowfalls, in the hospital I worked in we had 65-69 wrist fractures and 29 hip fractures in the space of a few days.”

There is also concern about older people living on their own in isolated areas where home helps have difficulty travelling to.

Pedestrians who want to reduce their risk of a slip or fall on treacherous icy footpaths should walk like a penguin, experts advise.

Spreading feet out slightly while walking on ice increases the centre of gravity.

Try to bend slightly and walk with short, flat-footed steps.