Parents thank trauma team for support after daughter's holiday accident

They met the Glasgow hospital’s acute orthopaedic trauma liaison team after their daughter Georgia was involved in an incident when they family holidayed in Stornoway late last year.

But thanks to the two team members, Janine O’Donnell and Louise McCormack, are the single point of contact for parents and carers when their child has been in an accident that involves fractures and breaks, her recovery was smoothed.

Parents Fiona and Howard said their daughter was enjoying a horse-riding lesson on a Stornoway beach when she fell and, painfully, the horse trampled on her leg. The outcome was a nasty break and, following excellent assessment and care at Stornoway’s Accident and Emergency, surgeons made the decision that due to the severity of Georgia’s break, she required the attention of the National Trauma Centre at the Royal Hospital for Children.

Howard said: “After Georgia was triaged, treated for pain, and x-rayed in Stornoway, the information was shared with the Royal Hospital for Children who requested further scans including a CT to determine the severity and if surgery was required. It was at this point the RHC trauma and orthopaedic team stepped in.

"There was no delay in them calling us to explain what was going on, how Georgia’s care would be transferred over to them, and what we could expect the next steps to be.

“We were nervous about what would happen when we reached Glasgow but were emotional to see that the team was there waiting to greet us. They knew our names, they had plans in place, and the doctors were assigned to Georgia’s case.

"Janine asked Georgia’s mum what she personally needed, and she responded, ‘a hug’. That’s what she received. A huge cuddle for a mum who was worried about her daughter made us relax and feel safe in their care.”

Praising the team, he added: “Janine and Louise were also amazing at giving Georgia the social interaction that she needed to keep going. They knew exactly what to say to her when they could see her become sad or anxious.

“They made sure things happened when they were supposed to and how they were supposed while also having an interest in our mental state and wellbeing. They removed our fears and helped our daughter, and for that we are incredibly grateful to them and to all the clinicians and surgeons for their support.”

Janine and Louise worked with 2803 patients last year alone. They also won Team of the Year at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Women and Children Awards in May 2024.

The team supports families either virtually, in-hospital or even after discharge. They collate information from the multidisciplinary teams working on a child’s care, including x-rays and surgery to equipment needs, physiotherapy and communicate that to parents.

Janine said: “We touch every part of the care involved, and that extends to the social aspect and supporting the parents with what they need while the child is in hospital or afterward. An example of this is, with the consent from families, we share information with schools to ensure a safe transition back for the child.”