SOUTHAMPTON’S accident and emergency department has seen the number of people coming through its doors double as a result of the Big Chill.
Treacherous pavements and roads around Hampshire have led to a steep rise in people suffering falls while the number of elderly patients with weather-induced illnesses such as pneumonia have also increased.
Dr Diana Hulbert, Southampton General Hospital A&E lead consultant, said they had seen up to 400 people a day during the cold snap, twice the normal amount.
She said: “Lots of people are coming to A&E with injuries such as sprains and breaks they have suffered after falling on ice.
“We have also seen quite a lot of elderly people with chest infections and pneumonia.
“It has obviously put a strain on the department but gradually things are easing off.”
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