"The team took a person-centred approach"

I was daft enough to break my thumb in March falling off my bike. 

I attended ED on the Saturday thinking I had only sprained it but no I had broken it and torn tendons. I was looked after very well. 

I then after a bit of confusion attended the hand clinic in Ninewells on Monday. The phone call on the Sunday was a shock to be told to attend on Monday fasted, as I hadn’t really thought that I might need surgery!

Anyway no surgery required. 

The doctor and OT were brilliant, when I told them of my exploits to damage the thumb and how cycling is my happy place - they quickly recognised that helping me to continue cycling safely was going to be a massive benefit to my mental health. They pulled out all the stops to ensure my cast would stabilise my thumb and facilitate gentle cycling …

Cast change again the nurse was brilliant ensuring my wings would remain unclipped and my thumb stable as it continued to heal. 

Once out of my cast the OT team were also amazing. Making a bespoke splint so I could cycle safely and my thumb would continue to heal. I had a cycling event I had been looking forward to for months and was worried I wouldn’t be able to go. The splint was made, I tested it and it did what was required. 

I have now been discharged for the OT service with the instruction to look after myself and look after my thumb and all other body parts. 

I can’t thank the whole team enough for taking a person-centred approach to my care, helping me to continue to do the thing that brings me joy while looking after my wayward thumb.