GLASGOW’S accident and emergency staff have reported a surge in admissions for falls over this week’s cold snap as the council faced criticism for its gritting service.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said there had been an increase in patients being treated for sprains, cuts and broken bones as temperatures plunged across the country.

A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said: “The reason for a person’s fall is not something we record but staff tell us that there has been a rise in patients presenting as a result of falls on ice.”

READ MORE: Glasgow’s gritters out in full force to treat ‘priority areas’ - is yours one of them?

The public was being reminded to use minor injury units unless they had suffered serious injuries to help keep waiting times down in the city’s A&E units.

It comes after hundreds of people voiced complaints on the council’s Facebook page that streets and walkways had become ‘no go’ areas, with reports of car accidents and children walking to school on roads.

The gritters were out in force yesterday as temperature were set to drop again to freezing overnight.

The council said priority footways and footbridges would be tackled from 12.30pm with outer priority routes to treated from 8pm.

The charity, Contact the Elderly, warned that some pensioners would be struggling to get outside for essential groceries, go to the doctor or, “have any sort of contact with the outside world.”

READ MORE: Glasgow’s gritters out in full force to treat ‘priority areas’ - is yours one of them?

In the Milton area of Glasgow, a community group was offering to take OAPs out for shopping and was encouraging anyone with a car to do the same in their area.

Julie Love, who lives in Maryhill said: “My cousin is at A&E, fell putting bins out this morning. I think it was a broken hip. I’m sure orthopaedic departments will be busy this weekend.

“An elderly neighbour fell and broke her wrist yesterday. I tried to grit bins locally and they were empty.”

Meanwhile, volunteers who offered to help grit Glasgow’s walkways said they were still waiting for bags of salt to be delivered by the council, three months after requesting them.

John McCann, who volunteered as one of the city’s Winter Warden for the Maryhill area, said he requested bags in September but had not received anything.

READ MORE: Glasgow’s gritters out in full force to treat ‘priority areas’ - is yours one of them?

He said: “I called back last month and they said they’d get some out.

“There are thousands of people giving their time, energy and expertise for free to make Glasgow a better place to live.?“But if they are unable to do something as basic as getting a couple of bags of grit to people who spread it, in their own time, in the worst weather - then they are unable to support their volunteers at the most basic level.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Eleven half tonne tote sacks of salt were delivered to the volunteer Winter Wardens who specifically requested them across the city.

“However, not all the winter wardens find the large tote sacks practical and prefer to receive several smaller, reusable 10kg bags which are left in local salt bins for their collection.

“When these bags have been used, empty grit bins should be reported by phoning 0800 373635. Free rock salt is also available to the public (up to 10kg) at council and park depots at Victoria Park, Kings Park, Springburn Park or Greenfield Park.

“Depots at Dawsholm, Shieldhall and Easter Queenslie recycling centres also provide free rock salt. They are open from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.”