Staff at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital reported a huge surge in admissions last week as temperatures began to plummet.

The volume of incidents is such that NHS Tayside has been unable to give a total for the numbers of patients treated for weather-related fractures and other injuries.

A spokesperson said orthopaedic and A&E teams continued to be “particularly busy”, with people of all ages being treated for falls — some quite serious.

With conditions underfoot treacherous, staff at Perth Royal Infirmary were dealing with a “higher than normal” number of cases.

Up to a foot of snow fell in and around the Fair City over the weekend and, with temperatures falling to —10C, both pavements and roadways were left passable only with extreme care.

However, many people have lost their footing and several have broken bones as a result.

A spokeswoman said, “Staff at Perth’s A&E department have found the number of admissions to be above average.

“However, they are coping very well.”

She said staff had dealt with a number of “serious fractures” affecting old and young alike.

Snow on many Perth pavements has become hard-packed — further increasing the potential for accidents.

NHS Tayside backed police warning for people to take extra care when venturing out in the wintry weather and to allow extra time for any planned journeys.

Meanwhile, NHS Fife has reported no marked increase in the number of hospital admissions over the Christmas period.

It said it was unable to clarify if any injuries had occurred due to underfoot conditions, as such incidents are not recorded individually.

However, despite the freezing temperatures the health authority stated there has been no rise in the number of admissions for this time of year, and levels are still considered to be normal.

FEW BURST PIPES REPORTED

Many homes across Tayside and Fife appear to be standing up to the freezing wintry conditions, as plumbers report few call outs to fix burst pipes.

Although the cold snap is the worst for several years, the improved standard of housing and plumbing work appears to be holding up.

In Dundee, some plumbers have reported a high number of emergency call outs, but mainly for problems other than a split.

Bob Brown, of Abertay Plumbing, said the company has been “really busy”, though mostly dealing with blocked drains, leaking sinks or central heating repairs.

He added, “A lot of homes are well insulated these days, especially the new builds. Once the thaw starts, we will start to see if there have been any major leaks in pipes.”

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said a number of repairs have been made on council houses since the bad weather began, and tenants have been given advice on how to use their heating to protect their homes.

Meanwhile, Scottish Water engineers attended two burst mains in Dundee’s Pitempton Road and Kinness Crescent today, with homes in both areas losing water supply temporarily.

Brechin was also affected, with a split water pipe in Drumachlie Park stopping the water to several homes.

MERCURY RISING, BUT WILL PLUMMET TONIGHT

Temperatures began to rise across Tele territory today, but the Met Office warned the mercury is set to plummet again tonight, worsening the already treacherous underfoot conditions.

The temperature in Dundee rose to 4C this morning, but rain and hail still made for dangerous conditions for commuters.

A Met Office spokesman said, “The temperature in Dundee will drop to around -3C tonight, meaning the rain and sleet that has fallen today will freeze.”

The spokesman said there was an ice and snow forecast for Tayside and Fife over the next four of five days.

BIN COLLECTIONS AFFECTED

A number of homeowners across north east Fife are facing another uncertain week over bin collections, as hazardous road conditions continue to hamper services.

For around the past fortnight, refuse lorries have been unable to drive down residential streets badly hit by snowfall and packed ice.

With all the extra Christmas waste, many bins are overflowing.

However, it is not clear when collections will resume, with Fife Council saying this is very much dependant on improving ground conditions.

But this response fails to answer some of the more immediate issues hitting homes.

A Newport family contacted the Tele to explain they have had no collections in two weeks.

They spoke to the local authority requesting to place bags of nappies outside by their bin until normal service resumes.

However, it is understood they were told the bags would not be lifted as they would not be inside the bin.

With the weather set to decide how long it will be before rubbish is taken away, Ross Vettraino, vice-chairman of Fife’s environment, enterprise and transport committee, said civic amenity sites — often incorporating a community recycling point — can be used in the interim.

— Collections have also been delayed in some areas of Perth and Kinross.

Those who have not had their bins collected are asked to leave them out.

The council says it will endeavour to catch up on the rounds over the next few days, weather permitting.

COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS TO BE ISSUED AGAIN

The Department of Work and Pensions is set to issue Cold Weather Payments for the second week in a row in Tayside and Fife.

The payment of £25 is made to households who would otherwise struggle to heat their homes, on the condition the temperature drops below zero, or is forecast to do so, for seven consecutive days.

More than 41,000 payments were issued for the week beginning December 20, as arctic temperatures gripped the area. Today, it was revealed the payments will be given again after a trigger by Leuchars weather station.

The payments are automatically made to those on certain benefits, such as income support or pension credit. Anyone who may be eligible should apply at www.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmwell or call 08459 15 15 15.