A motorcyclist who suffered life-changing injuries in a head-on collision with a van which left him close to death has thanked the Salford Royal hospital staff who saved his life.
More than 40 members of staff worked tirelessly to keep 42-year-old Steven Withnall alive including those who found him at the crash scene.
He was taken to Salford Royal Hospital where the major trauma team tended to his injuries. His right arm had to be amputated and he suffered a broken shoulder, fractured shin, a broken kneecap, open fracture to his femur, a punctured lung, broken ribs and a dislocated collar bone.
He said: “The doctors later told me I was lucky to survive.”
Steven who has a history of boxing and Jiu Jitsu which he also credits for his body’s ability to withstand such significant trauma.
He said: “If I wasn’t as fit and strong as I was I probably would have died from the shock alone. I lost a lot of blood.”
Sixteen months after the accident in Warrington Steven returned to Salford Royal to thank the people who saved his life and helped his recovery. The list of roles included everyone from the 999 call handler, anaesthetists. nurse consultant, surgeon, physiotherapists, radiologists, theatre staff, dietitian, psychologists, pain team, plastic surgeons, orthopaedics, healthcare assistant, advanced care practitioners, helicopter emergency medical service, patient liaison, pharmacist, limb reconstruction to the specialist nurse.
Vascular and plastic surgeons from the University of Manchester were also in the team helping Steven’s recovery.
He said: “It’s quite overwhelming really. I knew there had been a fair few people involved in my care but it’s so nice to see so many of them again.
“The team on the ward were absolutely amazing; nothing was ever too much trouble for them. It’s been a very difficult time, but I have also had a good laugh with them all too.
“I met the doctor who was one of the first on the scene and he said I was very close to not making it; that really got to me, hearing that. These people saved my life. They are heroes.”
Dr Sheila Tose, the clinical director for major trauma, added that looking after such a life-changing case was a massive team effort with multiple departments involved-
She said: “From the first person at the scene, to those managing ongoing rehabilitation, it really takes a huge team of people working together to help us care for some of the sickest patients in the region – from those colleagues on the frontline who are making life-saving decisions at the roadside, to the porters helping us transport patients to surgery, the physios helping patients walk again, dietitians ensuring nutrition is not forgotten about and the pharmacists managing complex prescriptions.
“Everyone who comes into contact with that individual has an important role to play and the impact they can have on that patient can last a lifetime.”
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