Emergency Department's Bank Holiday wish
Staff at one of Wales’s busiest emergency departments are reminding people to stay safe this bank holiday weekend.
Although the extra time off – and the sun if the weather obliges - is always much appreciated, Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) usually sees an influx of people who have come a cropper while venturing outdoors.
From heat exhaustion to severe sunburn, and falling from a ladder cutting trees to losing toes to a lawnmower, our hardworking ED staff have seen it all.
While they will always be there to help, their message is ‘Please be sensible, follow any safety advice, and stay safe – do not end up in ED.’
Gareth Cottrell, Deputy Service Group Director at Morriston Hospital, said: “We would never wish to curtail anyone’s enjoyment but it’s a sad fact that we usually see a spike in numbers of people presenting at ED when the weather is fine.
“Often people take advantage of the fine weather and bank holidays to work on the house or do the garden and suffer an accident or fall.
“Or they venture out further afield into the great outdoors, whether it’s coast or mountains, and get into difficulty.
“And taking a dip or enjoying searing sunshine without precautions can also present dangers.
“All we ask is they avoid taking risks and follow any safety advice.
“I mean this in the nicest possible way – we wish you weren’t here.”
Tristan Taylor (pictured above), a senior charge nurse in ED, said that they tend to see accidents around gardening and people underestimating the dangers of overexposure to the sun at this time of year.
He said: “We do tend to see people coming in who have decided to cut the grass wearing flip flops, and, unfortunately, accidents do happen and the lawnmower’s blade has gone over their toes.
“With the nicer sunnier weather please remember to use sunscreen – the last thing we want is to be dealing with someone with sunburn.
“Also please take care when visiting the beach and going near water, especially if you have young children keep a close eye on them and follow the safety advice around swimming.
“I love the hot weather as much as anyone and love being out there but the last thing anyone needs is for you to join me here in Morriston Hospital’s emergency department.
“Please enjoy the sun sensibly.”
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