When motorcyclist Steven Withnall suffered life-changing injuries in a head on collision it was a matter of life or death but thanks to a team of almost 40 people, he is now back on the road to recovery.
Steven was the rider of a motorbike when it collided head on with a van, leaving him with a long list of serious injuries that will require ongoing treatment for years to come.
But, thanks to the quick-thinking healthcare professionals who were called to the scene of the accident, Steven is alive today.
Steven, 42, was taken to Salford Royal’s major trauma team with injuries including an amputated right arm and broken shoulder, a fractured shin, a broken kneecap, an open fracture to the femur, a punctured lung, broken ribs and a dislocated collar bone.
“The doctors later told me I was lucky to survive,” said Steven, who previously trained in Jiu Jitsu and boxing. “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.”
Just 16 months since the incident in Warrington, Steven made a special trip to the Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital at Salford Royal to meet some members of the team who have helped get him back on the road to recovery.
A total of 37 people were involved in Steven’s care, starting from the moment the 999 call was made from the scene.
The list includes roles such as:
- 999 call handler
- Anaesthetists
- Pathology and blood transfusion team
- Nurse consultant
- Surgeon
- Physiotherapists
- Radiologists
- Theatre staff
- Dietitian
- Psychologist
- Pain team
- Plastic surgeons
- Orthopaedics
- Healthcare assistant
- Advanced care practitioners
- Helicopter emergency medical service patient liaison
- Pharmacist
- Limb reconstruction specialist nurse
Vascular and plastic surgeons from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust were also in attendance in theatre to help treat Steven.
Steven 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, consultant anaesthetist and clinical director for major trauma at Salford Royal, said looking after a patient like Steven with numerous, serious injuries is very much a team effort.
She added: “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.”