A groundsman from Manningtree has praised a new Ipswich Hospital service that saves patients with spinal conditions from hours of travelling.
Levington ward at Ipswich Hospital is the new regional spinal hub in Essex and Suffolk. It focuses on the care of patients with spinal cord injuries, as well as those that have undergone elective spinal surgery.
It benefits patients such as Steven Noy, 68, who may have previously been sent to the Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre in Sheffield, or the National Spinal Injuries Centre, based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
The unit includes 12 beds for patients with high speciality needs, as well as a range of rehabilitation equipment such as parallel bars, exercise pedals and plinths.
Steven, who had a lesion on his spinal cord, spent 31 days in Addenbrooke’s Hospital before being transferred to Ipswich. Thanks to the care he has received, he is now looking forward to returning to work.
“From day one (in Ipswich) it was an amazing experience,” said Steven. “Every member of staff was friendly and amazingly helpful – they were a real pleasure to be with.
“I took advantage of everything I was offered, including advice and rehabilitation, and made some fantastic progress.
“I arrived in Ipswich on a banana transfer board and was using an indoor wheelchair. I went to the gym at the hospital and within a short space of time, I was using a walking frame and going from strength to strength. The leg that was completely useless is now also getting loads of strength back.
“I would advise other patients to take any chance they are given to improve their condition, even if they are feeling under the weather.”
The hub is run by spinal surgeon Mr Alastair Hudd, Rebecca Denwood, spinal physiotherapy and nursing lead, and Levington ward sister Michelle Baxter.
Rebecca said: “We are proud of the fact that we are providing this level of rehabilitation to our spinal patients. It is allowing us to keep them local to their support networks, which is beneficial to wellbeing.”
From left: Student physio Henry Hurst, spinal nurse specialist Stephanie Todd, spinal physiotherapy and nursing lead Becky Denwood, Levington Ward sister Michelle Baxter, specialist physiotherapist Sasha-Louise Roberts with Steven Noy.
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