Residents of the Canton of Graubünden fill hospitals in the mountain cantons: They fear overcrowding
Hospitals in Switzerland’s mountain regions are bracing for a sharp rise in winter-related injuries. The surge puts extra pressure on medical facilities, particularly in Valais and Grisons. Data shows that most patients during peak season come from outside these cantons.
In Valais, winter injuries double compared to other months. By February, at the height of the sports season, emergency rooms see a flood of cases. Over half of these patients are visitors—either from Swiss lowland cantons like Zurich and Bern or from neighbouring Germany, especially Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Grisons faces a similar pattern. Daily hospitalisations for winter injuries climb from around 10 in October to 35 by February. Only about 30% of cases involve locals, with the rest being tourists or residents from other regions. Common injuries include head trauma, knee and leg fractures, and arm or elbow damage. To cope, hospitals have introduced pre-triage systems. Nursing staff and on-call services assess patients early, redirecting less severe cases to ease the burden. Meanwhile, cantons like Vaud, Basel, and Zurich report little change or even a slight drop in injury numbers during winter.
The seasonal influx of winter sports injuries strains healthcare in Valais and Grisons. With most patients arriving from outside, local hospitals rely on triage and redirection to manage demand. The trend highlights the need for targeted medical planning in tourist-heavy mountain regions.
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