Gritting footpaths would save both money and lives, a doctor has said. 

This morning, millions of people across Ireland woke up to find their local roads and footpaths had been coated in ice. 

It certainly looks nice but Colm, a doctor at Dublin’s Mater Hospital, called Lunchtime Live to say that he and his colleagues always notice a “big increase” in the number of people presenting with fractures. 

“There are huge implications for patients,” he said. 

“If you get a hip fracture, you have a 25% mortality the following year but also from a system point of view as well, each fracture costs the health service [money].

“It would save the system money by gritting the footpath as a public health measure.” 

Furthermore, the weather has a huge impact on people’s ability to get out and about in the community.

“People are afraid of leaving the house as well, so people are stuck inside as well,” he said. 

“We saw during COVID the terrible effects that can have of people losing mobility and so on. 

“It has huge ramifications for people.” 

M63KGE Dublin winter- Ireland

Another listener, Rose, called the show to say that she had had an extremely challenging commute because of the weather this morning. 

“It was just shocking,” Rose said. 

“I wore my good grip shoes and it still wasn’t happening. I had to get my nephew to help me up the hill. 

“I’m 30-years-old, it should have been alright, but it was just so slippy. 

“I don’t understand why they can’t just leave out some grit for us to do it ourselves.”

Adding, “I don’t know how elderly or disabled people get off that estate - it’s just shocking. 

“You have to walk on the actual road and even on the road there’s icy patches and you can’t see the black ice.”

The Arctic blast is forecast to last until at least Friday.

Main image: An icy road. Picture by: Alamy.com