"Care after Motorcycle Crash"

Whilst on a motorcycle ride with friends, heading from Edinburgh to Braemar, I unfortunately misjudged a corner and clipped a grass verge which resulted in my being thrown over the handlebars approx 5 miles from Glenshee.

Being a current registered Paramedic, I was on the ride with fellow Emergency service colleagues and as such, was extremely well cared for whilst waiting for my uniformed colleagues to arrive.

Thankfully I was quickly cleared of any spinal damage and was subsequently conveyed by Ambulance to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. Although admittedly biased, I have nothing but praise for the Ambulance crew that treated me. On arrival at hospital, I was assessed in the Emergency department and diagnosed as having suffered a fractured scapula, clavicle and posterior rib.

I am somewhat dismayed to report that my treatment in Ninewells was less than satisfactory. The duty consultant that treated me repeatedly refused to believe the fact that I was riding at a speed of 40mph. It took my friend who is an A&E Nurse in Edinburgh to point out the fact that had I been travelling at the speeds he was implying, my injuries would have been far more substantial. The consultant also decided to allow my injuries to heal on their own in time, without consulting any specialist orthopaedic colleague.

After remaining in hospital overnight (only because I vomited following administration of morphine for pain relief and not due to my actual injuries), I was assessed again by the dayshift duty consultant the following morning. This Doctor was the only one out of the 4 that assessed me during my time in Ninewells that suspected my injuries may require further treatment and as such, he requested assessment from an orthopaedic specialist. This specialist also decided that no treatment would be required and even encouraged me to travel on a planned holiday abroad the following week!

Thankfully, my gut told me that something was afoot and I attended Edinburgh Royal Infirmary 2 days later. A fresh assessment was made, including a CT scan on my injured shoulder - something that was never done or suggested whilst at Ninewells. It was subsequently determined that due to the amount of displacement, my clavicle fracture would never heal naturally and would have left me permanently disabled.

I was booked in for Open Reduction Internal Fixation surgery the following Monday and my clavicle was repaired with a metal plate by Mr Robinson and his team. The surgery was a success and I have had frequent visits to physiotherapy since surgery and I have now healed enough to return to my duties as a Paramedic.

I have nothing but heartfelt thanks for Mr Robinson and his surgical team and my physiotherapist, Julie all based at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. However, I would like my disappointment expressed to the Emergency Department at Ninewells.