Icy conditions across the UK, including sub-zero temperatures, snow, and widespread ice, have created treacherous outdoor surfaces, resulting in a significant surge in fall-related injuries. This is placing heightened pressure on NHS emergency services, particularly due to an increase in falls among older adults. The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust, for example, has reported an almost three-fold increase in patients with fractured hips and other falls-related trauma compared to normal expectations for this period. This surge in orthopaedic injuries, combined with cold-weather-aggravated respiratory problems, is leading to more complex patient presentations and clinical evidence supports these observations, showing emergency hospital admissions for falls on snow and ice increase steeply as temperatures drop, affecting both older adults and those of working age.
The rise in injuries coincides with persistent icy conditions and weather warnings from the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Rare amber cold-health alerts have been activated across England, highlighting the health risks of freezing temperatures, which include a higher risk of falls and hospital admissions for vulnerable individuals. While slippery pavements and outdoor surfaces are the primary cause, even wet and cold conditions inside or near the home can contribute to instability.
Fall-related injuries constitute a serious public health concern, often requiring long hospital stays, extensive rehabilitation, and potentially resulting in long-term impacts like loss of independence, especially for older adults. Ambulance services are heavily affected, with some regions receiving around 3,000 falls and frailty-related 999 calls each month. Public health guidance emphasises that older people and those with mobility or balance issues are at the highest risk, and these falls can have both physical and psychological effects, including anxiety and loss of confidence.
To mitigate this strain, NHS staff and health leaders are urging the public to exercise extra caution when outdoors, including wearing sturdy, good-grip shoes and avoiding unnecessary travel during icy spells to reduce preventable injuries. Simple, proactive steps for individuals, particularly older adults, involve using handrails, ensuring walkways are clear of ice, and avoiding travel during the coldest parts of the day. Local councils and emergency services are also advised to help mitigate risks by gritting pavements and prioritising pedestrian routes near key community and health facilities, as recommended by the UKHSA. As amber cold warnings persist, NHS leaders are calling for caution and preparation from the public to help reduce both injuries and the current strain on emergency services.
