Icy day in Moray saw A&E patients double at Dr Gray's in Elgin
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Icy conditions saw the number of A&E patients double at Dr Gray's on one day last month.
A total of 149 people attended the hospital department on Monday, December 4 – many with injuries and fractures after slipping.
Amongst them was a lorry driver who crashed into a house on Elgin's Convener Street.
Alasdair Pattinson, the hospital's general manager, revealed the numbers who had fallen foul of the treacherous conditions.
Speaking during yesterday's meeting of the Moray Integration Joint Board, he said: "A total of 149 people came through the front door, compared to half that normally.
"The majority of them were suffering trauma as a result of a fall.
"Generally these took place outside people’s homes as they went out to do their day-to-day business."
Mr Pattinson added that the increase had put additional pressures on other areas of the hospital.
He asked what work is taking place at a community level to reduce the problems caused by icy weather.
Moray councillor Scott Lawrence (Forres, SNP) replied that in cold conditions the local authority had priority routes that were treated first.
However he encouraged anyone who thought areas were being missed to get in touch with the council.
Cllr Lawrence also praised the dedication of workers who went above and beyond during recent cold spells.
He said: “It was all hands to the pumps, and it shows how much staff care."
