MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 17, 2017
LONDON, Ontario – The Victoria Day long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. It also marks the start of the trauma season for London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).
Overall, 40 per cent of all major traumas present to LHSC between the Victoria Day long weekend and Labour Day long weekend. In other words three major trauma patients every day present to LHSC.
Last summer there were 336 severe trauma patients treated at LHSC between the May and September long weekends. Of these, 26 per cent were positive for consuming alcohol, alcohol and drug use are significant risk factors for traumatic injuries.
The most prevalent cause of injury in 2016 was motor vehicle collisions which accounted for half of all severe traumas.
Motorcycle crashes and deaths marked a new high last year with 36 fatalities in Ontario, 18 people in the west region died which leads all jurisdictions across Ontario.
LHSC Injury Prevention Specialist Brandon Batey says distracted driving is the leading cause of all collisions, and it is critical to remain focused while at the wheel. Distractions can be anything that takes your eyes, mind, or hands away from the task of driving.
“Do not allow yourself to become distracted while driving. Always drive sober. And, look out for pedestrians, cyclists, children and other drivers—share the road, be courteous and respectful,” says Batey. “It is also important to not be a bystander, report distracted and impaired drivers, and if you are a passenger, speak up, ask to send the message or call.”
LHSC’s Trauma Program would like you to stay out of our trauma room this weekend. Look twice, stay safe and have a wonderful long weekend.
About London Health Science Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 142 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 65 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
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For media inquiries contact:
Bärbel Hatje
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 35947
barbel.hatje@lhsc.on.ca
After-hours and weekend assistance:
Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communication consultant on-call.
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