Hospital reports rise in fracture cases

A Northern Trust spokesperson said there was a rise in the number of people being admitted for fractures in the month of December, 2009 than there was for December 2008.

There were 209 such admissions in December 2008 and 230 in December 2009.

The spokesperson told the Ballymoney & Moyle Times: "At this time of year we would expect increased attendances for illnesses associated with the winter season and we have plans in place to cope with this.

"The spell of bad weather has added to this with a higher than usual number of people presenting with injuries from falls and with chest infections.

"This pattern reflects the normal peaks and troughs experienced by all hospitals during the course of a year. A&E Staff are working hard and are coping exceptionally well under difficult conditions," said the spokesperson.