KEMH braced for casualties

Emergency chiefs are bracing themselves for a surge in drink-related injuries and marine infections in the wake of Cup Match.

The hospital is often inundated with sick and injured patients by the end of the holiday weekend.

And many of the cases that doctors and nurses deal with are the direct result of excessive drinking.

Emergency room boss Dr Edward Schultz urged islanders to exercise moderation over the holiday. He told the Sun that the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre in St David’s would remain open over the holiday to respond to urgent cases. 

The opening hours on Thursday and Friday had been reduced from two years ago because just a handful of islanders had attended the facility during the daytime hours.

He added: “The Urgent Care Centre used to stay open for 12 hours on the holidays when Cup Match was in the East End.

“But we analyzed the numbers and there were very few people needing treatment during the day time hours. That is why we have made the decision not to open the centre until 4pm.

“So on Thursday and Friday the centre will be open from 4pm to midnight.

“We have to try and be cost effective in this day and age and this decision was made earlier in the year.”

The Lamb Foggo Centre will remain open between 12 noon and midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile King Edward VII Memorial Hospital often sees a spike in drink-related injuries over Cup Match as well as marine infections and jellyfish strings.

Advice for swimmers

Dr Schultz said: “There are obviously a lot of people in the water over Cup Match and especially ear infections. In terms of preventing this kind of thing we would urge swimmers to make a mixture of 2/3 rubbing alcohol and 1/3 white vinegar and put a couple of drops in both ears after you come out of the water. It could make a big difference.”

The emergency chief added: “At this time of year we deal with cases where individuals have overindulged in alcohol or other substances. And their injuries are a result of loss of reaction time and judgement.  We get motor vehicle injuries and occasionally assaults when people party late and try and get home.

“The Thursday and the Friday tend not to be overly busy but by the time we get to Sunday the numbers are pretty dramatic. The afternoon after Cup Match and Saturday are very busy.

“There are a couple of reasons for this – physician offices are usually closed for four days and some people resort to coming into the Emergency Unit as they can not see a doctor.”

Dr Schultz urged islanders to ensure they had adequate supplies of any medication they are taking.

And he called on parents to keep a close eye on their children, especially on the water: “We have dealt with drowning cases during the Cup Match period before. It is very easy to drown and just takes a few moments of inattentiveness.

“We have also had boating injuries in the past and we would just urge people to exercise a bit of moderation so their holiday does not end up in the hospital.”