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Libya victims given refuge in city hospital
Injured rebels in Sirte, Libya in October
Royal Preston Hospital has been called upon to treat some of the most serious casualties caught up in the Libyan conflict.
Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to offer NHS care to 50 of the most badly injured civilians from Libya and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals was chosen to treat and rehabilitate five trauma patients.
Now the trust is providing care for 25 of a new group of 65 Libyan amputee patients across the country.
These 25 patients are currently receiving treatment at Lancashire Teaching Hospital’s Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC).
Dr Fergus Jepson, rehabilitation consultant at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, is the lead clinician overseeing the treatment for the Libyan cohort.
Fergus is also advising Prof Keith Willets, national clinical director for trauma care at the Department of Health, on appropriate treatment for the 65 Libyan amputees at hospitals across the country.
Dr Jepson said: “We are leading the way nationally with the delivery of advanced technology for the patients with upper limb amputations.
“Our experience with this technology is allowing us to provide these patients with the best treatment available.
“Our expert clinicians such as Gail Moss, an upper limb occupational therapist, and Steve Laird, an upper limb prosthetist, are delivering a first class service for these casualties without any impact upon NHS service delivery.”
Dr Jepson recently visited Libya to assess the training requirements of Libyan medics who will provide longer-term rehabilitation for the current cohort of patients when they return home.
He added: ”Currently, there is no infrastructure in Libya to offer rehabilitation care or to maintain or produce the prosthetics and orthotics that these patients need.
“We are currently providing training for two Libyan medics to enable them to provide ongoing rehabilitation to the patients when they return home.
“The patients themselves are also being trained how to maintain their prosthetics.
“Telesupport is another way we hope to provide follow up care and prosthetic maintenance when these patients return to Libya.”
Sean Hughes, medical director, said, “We know that our services are amongst the best in the country and are pleased to be one of just a few hospitals chosen to treat both Libyan trauma and amputee patients.”
The Libyan government will fund the patients’ treatment and other costs incurred in the UK.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Comments
There are 13 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
NabihHtiwesh
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:03 PMthe first and the second comment shows the arrogance of some people, disgusting, read what Lkilly said, their treatment is paid for by the Libyan government. Some of them fighters and some victims and trust me they will go back to their family in Libya if you watched tonights north west news (BBC) you would have heard what one of them said, he said I can't wait to go back. Just because someone's foreign, you shouldn't tar them with the same brush. All the credit to SMRC
Crag
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 08:21 PMThis offer of treatment is one of the very few things the coalition can be proud of. #1 and 2, I suspect these amputees will be desperate to get back to their families, and back to the country they have bravely fought for, rather than stay in the UK where they would have to put up with nasty b****s like you two.
caretaker
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 08:03 PMBrooks # 9, no one is saying anything other than a victory salute, how some peoples minds think!.
brookss4
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 04:11 PM#1 and #2 lets hope we never have to face what they do, but if we do lets hope someone has the compassion to treat and look after you, rather than having no soul like you seem to have. I guess you pay your own way in life and have never claimed any benefits yourself, nor expect to get a pension, because why should anyone look after another with an attitude as foul and dis-tasteful as yours.
brookss4
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 04:08 PM#8 I think its a victory sign, even though he almost died he is proud of fighting for justice in his country, gees man.
caretaker
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:53 PMThe photograph at the top of the article, one thing puzzles me, the injured man with all his pain and suffering STILL manages the TWO FINGERED salute!.
sydney olympic
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:21 PMWhere dose all the bitterness come from?Is it wrong to help our fellow humans?Or is it because they have different coloured skin and in some cases a different religion?The attitude of some on here disgusts me at least post 5L KELLEY,Posts the truth.
jonh
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:37 PMmickeypne, don't worry - as soon as they have a look round Preston, they'll think "F*** me, get me back to luxurious Libya now!"
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:31 PMAll of these patients will return to Libya when their treatment is complete. All of their treatment, plus any costs incurred during their stay is funded by the interim Libyan government so there is no cost to the British taxpayer. Lancashire Teaching Hospitals has been selected to receive these patients because of our expertise both in trauma and rehabilitation care.
Pedantic Poster
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:54 AMso we bomb their country, injuring innocent civilians, but when we try to help some people we may very well have injured, you get comments like 1 and 2. reflects well on us as a society doesnt it?
Pedantic Poster
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:49 AMso we bomb libya, killing people, some of whom are going to have been innocent civilians. yet when we step up and deal with some people that we may very well have injured in the first place, people complain? exactyl what kind of society do 1 and 2 really want to live in?
Rita1933_
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:57 AMMarvellous isnt it, we cant cope with our own sick people so we take in more foreigners, why dont they send them down south instead of up north?, and your right Micky they wont want to go back.
mickypne
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:04 AMand how many of these will actually go back to Libya? Or will they stay here and be given a 4 bed house and all the Benefits needed?
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