Amputee learns to walk again thanks to Physiotherapy staff at Queen's Hospital Burton who helped him "reclaim his life"
A patient who was cared for at UHDB after undergoing leg amputation, has thanked two 'exceptional' Physiotherapist colleagues who helped him walk again, saying they helped him 'find the light in a very dark place' and achieve what he thought was impossible.
Andy Gilbert first attended Queen's Hospital Burton in July 2022 after heading to A&E with unbearable pain in his leg which was progressively getting worse.
The team identified it as a vascular problem and referred him to specialists at Royal Derby Hospital, who performed a successful bypass operation on Andy. However, the pain later returned and he experienced numbness, prompting a second procedure.
Andy said: "It was at that point the Doctor told me the sad news that I would need my leg amputating and said to me ‘it’s either your leg or your life.' It was a lot to take in, my life changed overnight."
Andy underwent an above-the-knee amputation on his left leg and spent time recovering on the ward in Derby before being transferred to Darwin Ward at Samuel Johnson Community Hospital.
Since returning home Andy has been under the care of Sharon Wood, Physiotherapy Team Leader and Melanie Hawksworth, Physiotherapy Assistant, at Queen's Hospital Burton, who have been working with Andy to help him walk again and return to work as an artist on Cruise ships.
Andy said: "They have both been my shining lights at the end of a very, very dark tunnel. Two exceptional human beings who have guided me every step of the way, from a wheelchair, to helping me walk again. Something I never thought was possible."
Andy wanted to recognise the duo with a Making a Difference Award and submitted a touching nomination for both members of staff.
In Sharon's nomination, Andy wrote: "With Sharon’s expertise, professionalism, compassion and total understanding of my individual needs, I have progressed from permanently using my wheelchair to now walking with my prosthetic limb, something I thought would be impossible and that I would be unlikely to accomplish.
"Sharon has guided me literally every step of the way, from using a wheelchair to now walking confidently with my prosthetic limb and that for me is immeasurable and I will be eternally grateful to Sharon."
In Melanie's nomination Andy praised her as a 'very special and unique individual' whose patient skills are second to none, saying: "Melanie's deep understanding and empathy of my emotions have transported me from a very, very dark place, to one where I have now reclaimed my life and a very bright outlook for my future. This wouldn't have been possible without her."
Andy nominated Sharon and Melanie for a Patient Hero Award, saying words will never be enough to thank them for 'giving him his life back' and was delighted to see them presented the award, alongside his wife Anne, by Arne Rose, Executive Medical Director.
Arne said: "To hear Andy's story of how Melanie and Sharon helped him through both the mental and physical journey of his recovery, has been touching and has showcased once again the incredible work of colleagues who have gone above and beyond to offer exceptional patient-centred care.
"Sharon and Melanie have truly made a difference to the outcomes for Andy and embody the Trust's values of compassion."
Would you like to nominate a colleague for a Monthly Making a Difference Award?
If you would like to nominate a colleague or team for a Monthly Making a Difference Award, please let us know.
Our Monthly Making a Difference Awards celebrate those who have shown exceptional care and who have delivered improvements across safety, quality, effectiveness and patient experience and demonstrated the Trust values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence.
You can nominate in the following categories:
- Patient Hero Award – nominated by patients
- Excellence Award - you can nominate colleagues and teams
You can nominate in two ways:
- By completing this new e-form which will be sent directly to our awards team >
- By sending a 300 word nomination, along with the name of the team or individual, their job title and where they work, to: uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net