Freedom of Information information highlights the effect of dog attacks on kids, and the work the NHS needs to carry out in reaction
Hospitals throughout England are dealing with 3 kids under the age of 16 every day for severe injuries brought on by dog attacks.
The information, protected by Free Radio’s Freedom of Information demand to NHS England, demonstrates how typical the dog bite events are, and the needs they are putting on the NHS.
Records reveal kids under the age of 5 remained in the age probably to require to go through a treatment for skin repair work or restoration surgical treatment as an outcome of a dog bite when compared to the remainder of the population.
In the latest 8 month duration:
- 255 treatments were performed on 0-5 age
- 246 on kids aged 5-9
- 186 treatments on 10-14yr olds
The broader information programs in the exact same 8 month duration 6244 treatments were performed throughout individuals of any ages, with 2,345 needing advanced interventions.
Numbers going “up and up and up and up”
Earlier this year a 4 years of age lady passed away after being assaulted by a dog in Milton Keynes, while a 15 years of age lady was “substantially” hurt in Sheffield after a dog attack.
Researchers have actually informed us varieties of hospitalisations have actually doubled in a 25 year duration, while cosmetic surgeons have actually seen that boost on the coal-face.
Christian Duncan is a cosmetic surgeon at Alder Hey Children’s health center in Liverpool.
He’s informed our Take the Lead examination he and his group are handling around one dog bite case daily throughout the summertime, when more events happen.
He said: “Back in 2008 we had approximately 120 (cases) per year at Alder Hey which has actually increased and up and up and up, and by 2016 the through-the-door numbers had to do with 157 annually. It peaked in 2020 at above 230.
“It’s settled a bit, however it’s still at a really high level of over 200 annually. You’re discussing 2 cases every 3 days.”
Long term effect of dog attacks on kids
Mr Duncan’s surgical treatment remains in the heart of Merseyside area, which has a few of the greatest dog attack rates in the nation.
He’s informed us the effects of these occasions can be serious and lasting:
“The problem with some dogs and kids is the size and weight match, where you have a big dog and a smaller sized, infirm individual is a bad mix and these can be deadly injuries – significant de-glovings of tissue, significant tissue loss that needs intricate restoration, and really seldom, deaths can occur.
“Recently I’ve handled a couple of significant upper lip losses, which although is not a dangerous injury, the lip is not a quickly changeable piece of tissue.
“The injuries in kids are mainly lips, nose, ears, face and in some cases hands and these become part of the body that are constantly on program and scars are constantly going to exist.”
Stay tuned to Free Radio throughout the week as we continue to examine the increase in dog attacks, and ask what can be done to avoid them.
