"There is not another hospital in the country that does what we do" - Leeds General Infirmary's trauma unit charity celebrates sixth birthday

Countless operations followed to repair her broken femur - but they didn't work and after being told there was nothing more doctors could do - she faced the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

Her job as a dog groomer had to stop and her role as secretary of The West Highland White Terrier Club Of England was also put on hold.

However, a referral to Leeds General Infirmary's Major Trauma Unit and some further "difficult" operations later, Ms West is able to walk, swim, excercise and go to the gym.

That was in 2012 and for the last six years she has been using her own experiences to help other patients who have suffered horrendous accidents or traumatic injuries along with three other volunteers.

This month sees the sixth birthday of Leeds based trauma charity, Day One. Launched on September 1, 2014, it provides patients and families on the Major Trauma Unit at LGI with support from legal and financial advice to practical and emotional support.

She said: "Being a former patient, you know what it is like, you can offer support and reassurance for patients. It is a very sensitive time. Their lives have been turned upside down, they are in a critical position and for many of them the future is unknown. Many will never recover, but you have got to try and help and say you have ups and downs and I have been there and know exactly what it is like."

For her own situation, Mrs West of Pontefract, said while the medical care was wonderful she could have done with the support she and her three fellow volunteers, who have become very good friends, now provide.

Prior to coronavirus restrictions they would chat to patients and families on the ward, in fracture and orthopedic clinics. Now that is done over the phone.

She added: "I would see them from week to week and say you look better and that gives them a boost. There was one particular gentleman who was very poorly and I walked to his bedside and he would not even look at me. His wife was there and shook her head. She was worried and in an awful place.

"Each week I went back and in the end he talked to me and the nurses were amazed. He just needed his own time and in the end looked forward to me going.

"After what was initially a very very bad outlook, I could have done with somebody at that time to offer me that support."

Day One has raised £643,000 since it started to help fund improvements to the ward environment, life-changing equipment, health and wellbeing projects and the charity’s peer support programme.

A ‘7 Marathons in 7 Weeks’ challenge had over 60 participants and raised £70,000 alone during lockdown – enough to fund the charity’s service for almost seven months.

The unit deals with patients who have experienced all kinds of situations from motorbike and car crashes, to falling off a horse to being shot or suicide attempts.

Mrs West added: You think you have seen it all but something will crop up and you think 'I have not had that before'. It is lovely to feel that I am this side of it and almost 100 per cent. To be as recovered as I am from where I was with no future being able to walk - you don't forget that. I am in a position where I can support people in a similar situation and say 'I am standing', 'I am here' - that is very rewarding."

The plan moving forward is to develop the charity and roll it out to other hospitals with a service currently being worked on at Aintree Hospital in Liverpool.

Mrs West added: "It is unique, there is not another hospital in the country that does what we do."

Professor Peter Giannoudis added: "Over the past six years, Day One has achieved so much and we’re excited for what’s to come. I’m pleased to say that we’re moving towards becoming a national trauma charity, so that we can support trauma patients across the UK. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported Day One over the past six years, your donations make a huge difference to patients and families."

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers, click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins