Operations delayed because of falls in snow

Noble's Hospital has seen a sharp rise in the number of people reporting to Accident and Emergency with broken ankles and wrists during this week's icy weather.

The DHSS says it can't give exact numbers, but broken, sprained and fractured joints following falls has had a 'significant impact' on A&E and the orthopaedic department.

Many of those patients have required surgery, which has led to non-emergency operations being postponed.

Hospital staff have been working through the backlog and are just clearing the last cases.