Opcare
NHS Services » Bristol » Bristol News
Bristol News
ARCHIVED NEWS
10.06.10: ISPO
Last month 5 of our Prosthetic and Orthotic staff attended the ISPO World Congress (International society for Prosthetics and Orthotics) in Leipzig, Germany. They were part of a record number of 2,600 participants from over 100 countries to attend the 4 day event. The ORTHOPADIE+REHA-TECHNIK trade fair, held in parallel to the conference, attracted over 20,000 visitors, with exhibits from prosthetic and orthotic companies worldwide.
09.12.09: Taking the pain out of waiting
Children with false limbs have a new distraction while they are waiting for appointments after Microsoft donated an Xbox games console and The Entertainer (in Yate) donated a selection of toys. Receptionist Helen Pow contacted the company for help as she sees the youngsters who come in for appointments and thought it would be an ideal distraction for them while they are waiting. Among the patients who will benefit from the donation are 13-year-old Billie-Jo Higgs, who tried out some of the games. Her mother's appendix burst while she was pregnant and, as a result, the youngster did not develop properly and she was missing some of the bones in her leg when she was born. The teenager has been attending the centre at Southmead since she had her amputations - one above the knee and one below - at 15 months old and she has had to return about every 6 months since. Billie-Jo said: 'It's really good that they have the Xbox, as it is more for me to do when I come here!' 09.12.09: Life's all about the next step for Bristol father who survived rare disease
A dad-of-four lost his leg after he contracted a rare flesh-eating disease which nearly claimed his life. Clive Marshall's family were told he only had a 1-in-10 chance of survival after he was rushed into the A&E department at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI). Doctors worked out he was suffering from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease caused by the streptococcus A bacteria. Mr Marshall suffered organ failure and surgeons had to amputate his left leg above his knee to save him.
Mr Marshall was in a coma for week and spent a fortnight in intensive care, followed by seven weeks in Frenchay Hospital. He was then referred to the Disablement Services Centre at Southmead Hospital who were responsible for his new leg. Doctors said it would be 12 months before he could walk again but just 4 months on Mr Marshall has taken his first steps, with the help of a prosthetic leg, complete with Bristol Rovers badge!
Clive said: 'We are lucky to have these hospitals. It is about setting goals. My next is to walk freely without crutches and to walk properly. At the moment it is taking a lot of time and strength [but] when I go for a fitting there are other guys there and there is a real camaraderie.'