WITH artic weather forecast to hit Scotland on Friday older people are being warned to make sure their footwear is up to the job of preventing slips and trips.

The warning comes after figures in the most recent Scottish Hip Fracture Audit Report revealed more than 7000 older Scots broke a hip in 2020 after suffering a fall. 

Hip fractures are the most common reason for older people to require emergency surgery and the most common cause of accidental death.

A survey, commissioned by Age Concern UK, found that hundreds of thousands of older Scots are worried about falling over, with more than a third saying it topped their list of concerns.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: "Falls are a serious threat to older people's health, wellbeing and independence, causing pain, distress and loss of confidence.”

Putting the figures in context Professor Alasdair MacLullich, chairman of the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit Steering Group, said: “This, quite simply, has been the most difficult period that the NHS has experienced in living memory. 

"The global Covid-19 pandemic caused complex challenges in delivering hip fracture care during 2020. 

"Multiple factors impacted the care of this vulnerable and often frail group of patients. 

"These included staff redeployment to other areas; competing clinical priorities; reconfiguration of services and ward areas and an overall reduction in staff availability due to self-isolation and/or contraction of Covid-19.”

Recent bad weather put additional strain on NHS services, particularly Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments. 

NHS advice at the time included, ‘walking like a penguin’, staying indoors and using Minor Injuries Units to take the pressure off A&E staff.

Linda de Caestecker, Director for Public Health at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde said, “During winter months, the most common accidents that result in injury are slips, trips and falls. 

"While most result in only minor bumps and bruises, thousands of people are admitted to hospitals each year with related injuries.”

Caroline added: "A pair of sturdy shoes with non-slip soles are worth their weight in gold as they may prevent a nasty tumble and resultant injury."

George Rogers is doing his bit to try and take the pressure off the NHS. 

He runs Mac’s on Sauchiehall Street - now Glasgow’s only independent cobbler and locksmith. 

He said: "People, and particularly older people, need to make sure that their shoes have an effective non-slip sole. 

"We offer a 10% discount to pensioners all-year round so nobody needs to wait for the bad weather to make sure their footwear keeps them safe on slippery streets.”