Snow laughing matter

Released 08/01/2010

by Matt Jane

Matthew Jane considers the impact of the weather and keeps his fingers crossed for a return to normality

While it has generated much excitement in our office and sparked debate over the difference between a rain and a snow dance, the cold snap that we are currently enduring has had a massive impact on businesses and services across the country.

The microclimate of central London has kept our nation's capital relatively disruption free and therefore I have not had to miss any days in the office, but the pictures I have been seeing on the news of stranded cars, impassable roadways and pedestrians with enough layers to make an onion envious, highlight the impact of the winter weather.

Those practices that have managed to offer a service to patients will no doubt have had huge numbers of DNAs as people struggle to even leave the house. Speaking to my sister earlier this week, she explained how she attempted to get to her GP, but was forced to abandon her journey (and her car) a few streets from her house.

It is an unfortunate situation and no doubt the arguments that we should have been better prepared will continue to ring out, but in true British, stiff upper lip fashion we have battled on and hopefully, excuse the pun, weather the storm.

Whatever contingency plans your practice has in place, the disruption is most likely going to continue amidst a backlog of appointments and administrative work. Let's just hope for a thaw soon and a return to normality as soon as possible.

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