Visit our website: www.uhb.nhs.uk
For patients, staff, visitors and volunteers
Page 7 Blooming marvellous work of volunteers
APRIL 2015
Page 9 Fundraising in honour of remarkable patient
Research showcase offers ‘hands on’ experience
Canadian Cass Little, pictured, winner of The People’s Strictly (story below), is still in the Royal Marines and working as a presenter for Forces TV and the British Forces Broadcasting Service. A lifelong dance enthusiast, he now has ambitions to become an actor. “I’ve always been a performer: I majored in ballet at university in Canada,” he said. “I was even an intern at a modern dance company but never thought I could make a living from it, and somehow ended up in the Marines.” And he admits to mixed emotions when he first learned that he had been selected. “I didn’t think I would ever dance on a stage in front of an audience again. After Afghanistan, I wasn’t sure I’d ever dance again, full stop,” he said. “To be honest, when I first found out I had been chosen I reacted negatively. “My first thought was, ‘Why would they ask a one-legged guy to go on a ballroom dancing show?’ Yes, I’ve had dance training, but I haven’t danced in ten to 15 years and I’m missing a leg – a whole bunch of negative thoughts of just pure bitterness. “But a few days in I realised I am a onelegged Royal Marine Commando from Canada. I am going to raise money for kids. I am going to raise money for people who need it, for Comic Relief. I’m going to help. “And you know what? If you want to be a broadcaster or a presenter, it’s pretty good exposure, too!”
I think Cass is a true example of all that is good here at the QE! Wing Commander Jon Kendrew
Dance triumph is strictly fantastic Medics at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham have applauded the exploits of Afghanistan veteran Cass Little who was crowned champion in the BBC’s charity dance show, The People’s Strictly. Lance Corporal Cass is a Royal Marine medic who lost his right leg below the knee when an improvised explosive device was triggered in Helmand Province in the summer of 2011. Three of his colleagues were killed and five seriously injured, including Cass. But despite his own horrific injuries, he attempted to tend to his colleagues on the ground after the attack. He was airlifted to Birmingham and spent two months at the QEHB
Page 13 Bright future for Trust’s apprentices
receiving treatment for his horrific injuries from the joint military and civilian trauma team. It was his former colleagues in Afghanistan who put the 33-year-old’s name forward for the People’s Strictly, a reality show based on the smash hit Strictly Come Dancing. After a gruelling training regime Cass and professional dance partner Natalie Lowe danced the paso doble, gaining a perfect score of 40 from the judges before the public vote. Among those glued to their TVs was critical care and anaesthesia consultant Sue Sinclair, who was part of the team that treated him. “Cass is an extraordinary ambassador for these guys and how resilient they are,” she said. “To see him doing so well now is such a great
tonic for the people who looked after him, and the many like him, when they were with us . “So to see them do something like Cass has done just warms your heart, it’s fantastic. It just validates everything that everyone who played a part in looking after him did.” Wing Commander Jon Kendrew, who also treated Cass, added: “I will always remember his time at the hospital well. Cass was surrounded in intensive care by the people he had tried to help before being blown up himself. “It was they who nominated him. That particular scenario was unique and very, very moving. I have stayed in touch with all of them. “I think he is a true example of all that is good here at the QE!”
Experts at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham are giving the public a chance to see some of the latest developments in medical research at an event on Wednesday 20 May. The hospital’s annual research open day provides people with the opportunity to meet researchers and see how they are working to improve our knowledge of illness and injury. The free event coincides with International Clinical Trials Day and promises a great hands-on and interactive experience with opportunities to see and take part in demonstrations, and even get involved as a research subject. It’s a great day to find out more about our current clinical trials and how they work. There will be more than 20 presentation stands on the day, with last year’s best stand winner from the University of Birmingham’s Liver Research Unit returning with a must-see display. Patients and healthy members of the public can find out how they can get involved in research which offers cutting-edge treatments or expands our understanding of how the human body works. The showcase takes place on Wednesday 20 May from 10am to 4pm in the atrium of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Exhibits include: ■ Institute for Translational Medicine: a new research facility which will be based in the original Queen Elizabeth Hospital ■ Centre for Rare Diseases – how we research and treat the rarest conditions ■ The walk-through colon – find out about conditions affecting our bowels ■ The inflatable breast – find our more about our research into breast cancer treatments ■ NIHR SRMRC – learn how our care of injured soldiers is translating into benefits for all trauma patients The event will bring together the clinical, scientific and academic excellence of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham.
Contact the editor: Annie Roberts, news@QEHB, Trust HQ, QE Medical Centre, Edgbaston, B15 2PR. Email: annierhealth@gmail.com
Puzzle page: Delivering thebrainteasers, best in care mind benders and more P15 Find your way around: hospital maps P16 news@QEHB 2015_4_April_processed_links.indd 1
23/03/2015 10:36