When it comes to child safety, prevention is key but it’s important to know when accidents happen, there are safe hands ready at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow.
Meet the Acute Orthopaedic Trauma Liaison Team. The team – made up of 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.
Janine and Louise’s value to the service is highlighted by the fact they worked with 2803 patients last year alone (Jan-Dec 2023). 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 in having the best experience in their hospital journey. This could be 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 explained:
“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. This is to ensure their social and educational needs are safely met,” she said.
A family that sings the praises of Janine and Louise, are parents, Fiona and Howard from Bishopbriggs.
Fiona and Howard met the liaison team following an incident with their daughter, Georgia, while on holiday late last year.
Georgia was enjoying a horse-riding lesson on a scenic 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, Glasgow.
Howard explained:
“After Georgia was triaged, treated for pain, and x-rayed in Stornoway, the information was shared with the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow 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 Trauma and Orthopaedic 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.
“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.”
