999: Critical Condition: Community carer involved in van crash to feature in latest episode of award winning Royal Stoke documentary
A community carer who was rushed to University Hospitals of North Midlands Major Trauma Centre after a road accident left her with multiple injuries is to feature in the latest episode of 999: Critical Condition.
Diane Ryles, of Sandbach, was on her way home in January when a van ploughed into the back of her car leaving her with multiple broken ribs and a spinal fracture. However, it was concerns about internal injuries which meant she was transferred from Leighton Hospital to the specialist centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
The hospital works within the North West Midlands and North Wales Trauma Network and when anyone is seriously injured in incidents such as vehicle collisions, falls, or assaults, they are taken either directly or transferred to Royal Stoke where there is rapid access to a full range of specialist services for the management of life threatening injuries.
Today Diane said: “I was taken to Leighton Hospital but they were concerned I had internal injuries so was transferred to the trauma centre where I received a CT scan and MRI.
“They were worried I had damaged my oesophagus because if there was a tear is could have been really serious but thankfully everything was okay.”
She added: “Everything happened so fast once I arrived in Stoke but they were a fantastic team and I wish I could thank everyone who saw me individually.
“I received such amazing care from all the emergency services, the police who attended the crash, the fire service who cut me free, the paramedic and he wonderful doctors and nurses at Leighton and of course Royal Stoke. I felt I was in safe hands the whole time and it made me feel so grateful.”
61-year-old Diane, who cares for her mother at home, said: “I am only just getting back to driving but I am very nervous if I am on my own and particularly if I can see a van coming up behind me, but I am getting there and my injuries are all good.”
Diane story will be screened on Channel 5 at 9pm on Wednesday 17 May in the critically acclaimed documentary which is filmed exclusively at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Diane said: “I watched last week’s episode to prepare myself and mum for what we might see and I think it is a fantastic programme. It is easy to get frustrated when waiting in A&E because you don’t realise what is going on behind closed doors and that there are often people much much worse off than you needing quicker and more urgent care.”