WEST Middlesex Hospital has seen a big rise in the number of patients due to the snow and icy conditions.

Jane Brennan, corporate affairs manager at the hospital in Twickenham Road, Isleworth, said 344 people came through the doors on Sunday, which is much higher than usual.

Many of these, she explained, had broken bones after falling in the treacherous conditions, while others had respiratory problems due to the extreme cold.

"We've had an extremely busy couple of days, with a lot of fractures and chest problems, but the staff have been absolutely wonderful, as always" she told the Chronicle on Monday.

She urged people not to put extra strain on the hospital by attending with minor complaints like colds.

People with non-urgent problems can attend walk-in centres like those at the Heart of Hounslow and Teddington Memorial Hospital. Alternatively, you can ask your local chemist for advice or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Meanwhile, firefighters have had to deal with a deluge of calls from people whose homes have flooded after the ice caused water pipes to burst.

However, Kieron Kelly, crew manager at Chiswick fire station, said there had been surprisingly few calls about crashes. "I think the snow's so bad people are either staying at home or driving slowly and sensibly," he added.

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said it had received 596 calls in Hounslow between Friday and Sunday (December 17-19) – up 42 per cent on the average for the past four weekends.

There were 44 calls relating to slips, trips and falls in the borough – up 38 per cent on the weekend of November 20/21. Overall, the service experienced its busiest ever week, answering 17,499 calls between last Friday and Sunday night.