Hospitals across Glasgow have reported huge increases in visits from patients as a result of falls due to the icy conditions.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Emergency Departments (EDs) and Minor Injury Units (MIUs) were exceptionally busy on Tuesday with trips to these units up by more than half on the same time last year. 

On Tuesday, all of Glasgow's EDs and MIUs saw 1,816 patients across all of their sites, an increase of 56 per cent, or 654 patients. 

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Attendances were up considerably at all three MIUs, with the New Victoria seeing an increase of 56 per cent, New Stobhill an increase of 124 per cent and Vale of Leven saw an increase of 114 per cent, on last year's daily average.

This led to longer waits for some patients, with staff managing to see, treat, admit or discharge eight of every ten patients within the four hour target.

Some staff who were not on shift attended work to provide additional support, with other staff remaining when their shift ended.

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Jane Grant, chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Our Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Units were exceptionally busy yesterday dealing with a significant number of injuries as a result of the icy conditions.

“The response of our staff was outstanding, with many coming in at short notice and staying on duty beyond the end of their shifts to ensure patients were seen and treated as quickly as possible.

“It never ceases to amaze me just how dedicated our staff are and how committed they all are to the most important part of the job - looking after our patients and I have thanked them for all their effort.”

Glasgow City Council bosses have acknowledged the increase in slips and falls, saying the wet and freezing conditions had washed away grit that had been laid overnight on Monday. 

900km of the city's 1900km roadways had been gritted. 

A spokesman said: “There is no question that weather and ground conditions proved to be exceptionally challenging on Tuesday morning.

“Glasgow was not the only local authority area to experience freezing rain around breakfast time on Tuesday, which helped to undermine much of the preventative gritting treatments we had undertaken in anticipation of low temperatures.

“The freezing rain had the dual effect of washing away grit that had been laid out overnight but that rain then also froze on contact with the cold ground, creating instant black ice.

“Throughout the winter we work to a well-structured plan that aims to keep the city moving.

“We focus our gritting efforts on bus routes, main A and B roads, access roads to schools, fire, ambulance and police stations, steeper gradient roads and industrial areas as appropriate.

“The plan also has an emphasis on gritting pedestrian precincts, high footfall areas of the city centre, shopping centres out with the city centre, main access routes to school and footways on steeper hills.

“We also supply free grit in 1500 bins across the city for residents to use around their homes to keep themselves and neighbours as safe as possible.

“Winter weather always creates risks for all road users and we routinely urge residents to take the greatest possible care when conditions deteriorate."

For more information on winter weather provisions in Glasgow click here