8 February 2012
A senior orthopaedic technician (who helps to set and plaster broken bones) at Epsom Hospital has developed a new piece of equipment that helps to treat patients with fractured wrists.
Jim Hendry, who has worked with the A&E (accident and emergency) and orthopaedic teams at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals for 13 years, had the idea for a new device which makes it easier and less painful to correct a Colles fracture before setting it in plaster. A Colles fracture is a common break of the wrist, and is usually caused when people use their hands to break a fall.
Before setting a fracture in plaster, the bones of the wrist have to be manipulated back into their correct position, known as traction. This previously required three separate members of staff, but now, thanks to the new piece of equipment developed by Jim with the support of the A&E team, and designed by his business partner Chris Whipp, traction is made easier and simpler and the process now requires just two members of staff to be present.
In addition, early studies show that, when using the new device, patients are less likely to need an operation to correct their broken bones.
And, after hearing about the new device and the benefits it offers to patients and staff, four local councillors have donated money to buy one for patients at Epsom Hospital.
The device, which costs £2,400, was officially presented to Deputy Director of Nursing Julie Sobrattee recently, having been funded by Surrey County councillors, Eber Kington, Chris Frost, Jan Mason and Colin Taylor.
Julie said: "I would like to congratulate and thank Jim and Chris for taking the time to develop and make this new piece of kit. Not only does it mean that our patients can be seen faster, but it also means that mending a broken wrist is a much more efficient process for our staff. I would also like to thank Epsom Medical Equipment Fund who got in touch with the councillors and applied for their funding. It really is a boost to our hospital."
Jim said: "Having worked at Epsom for so many years, and with 30 years of experience behind me, I knew that the way Colles fractures are treated across the country could be improved. That's why I came up with this simple idea that helps us to get the bones in the correct position. I then asked Chris to help me develop the idea and it's gone from strength to strength.
"Of course, this device isn't magically going to make everything better, but it does mean that the process of re-setting the bone is more efficient and less painful for our patients. It also means that we can treat people faster which is, of course, great comfort to the people that we see who are in pain.
"Both Chris and I are incredibly proud of the new traction device, and we are very pleased to say that it's already making a huge difference to the people that we are seeing and treating."
