Decline of cash credited for drop in NHS surgery for children swallowing objects

Historically, coins accounted for more than 75% of objects swallowed by children under six, the Royal College of Surgeons of England said. Photograph: fStop Images GmbH/Alamy

Cashless societies may be a sad fact of modern life for those with a nostalgic attachment to the pound in their pocket, but doctors have discovered one unexpected benefit of the decline of coins.

Far fewer children are having surgery after swallowing small items that could choke or kill them, and the scarcity of loose change is likely to be the reason.