NHS bank holiday warning after DIY injuries rise
DIYers are warned not to wound themselves this weekend after home improvement injuries surged last year.
NHS figures reveal the number of hospital stays for blunders with power tools and ladders rose 10 per cent in 2021.
Health chiefs said bank holidays are prime time for home improvement mishaps as Brits enjoy the warm Easter weekend.
Last year 5,644 people were admitted to hospital after injuring themselves on power tools including drills, saws and nail guns – up from a total of 5,066 in 2019-2020.
Another 7,061 patients ended up on a ward after falling from a ladder, increasing five per cent from 6,644 the year before.
And 350 needed stitching back together after wounding themselves on lawnmowers – equal to nearly one a day.
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Professor Julian Redhead, NHS England’s emergency care director, said: “The long Easter weekend is a great time to do DIY but accidents can happen.
“There are plenty of places to get NHS help for minor injuries that might not even require you to go to a busy A&E.”
It comes amid fears of extra demand on hospitals and clinics over the double bank holiday.
Medics warn pressures on the NHS are already “as bad as any winter” with 94 per cent of beds full and record delays to ambulances and A&E departments.
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Prof Redhead added: “For minor problems the NHS 111 service can be contacted online or by phone 24 hours a day and has clinicians on hand to offer expert medical advice.
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“And there are thousands of high street pharmacies that can get you quick and convenient care wherever you are in the country.
“If it’s a serious injury or a life-threatening condition, then it’s of course vital that people call 999 or go to their local A&E.”