Hypothermia toll on Huddersfield elderly in the cold
Dec 4 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner
SEVERAL elderly people have been taken to hospital after being found suffering from hypothermia in their Huddersfield homes.
And a doctor has revealed some were found just by chance after kind-hearted neighbours popped round to make sure they were all right.
All had been taken ill and some had even been sitting in chairs all night in the cold after their heating went off automatically.
Now Dr Mark Davies, an accident and emergency consultant at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, has urged people to make sure their elderly neighbours and relatives are okay as the freezing conditions continue to take their toll.
He said: “These patients were found in their homes suffering from hypothermia because no-one was around to help them and no-one had been able to check on them.
“We have had four or five cases like this but, fortunately, none are desperately ill.’’
Dr Davies revealed that yesterday had been the busiest day in A&E with people coming in with injuries caused by falls on the ice and snow.
“We have seen a lot of sprains along with broken ankles, wrists and the occasional head injuries,’’ he said. “People of all ages have been hurt and we are expecting a busy weekend.
He added: “We had less attendance in the first two or three days of the snow because people seemed to be staying indoors more.’’
Meanwhile, care staff in Kirklees have been pulling out the stops to try and help people in the cold snap.
They have been using 4 x 4 vehicles to try and get through to all their clients and have been delivering emergency food supplies to many of them.
The council’s Home Care Service has a contingency plan and that has been triggered by the prolonged cold weather.
Some of the staff have been walking to help elderly people in their homes as roads in many areas have been blocked by snow and ice.
They have also expanded the Carerphone Home Safety Service which supplies an electronic alarm system to people who may need help at any time of the day or night.
Old people in areas such as Marsden and Holmfirth have been particularly vulnerable because of the cold.
