Joe is discharged after six months in University Hospital

Patient Joe Creasey says he’s looking forward to a new normal life after spending nearly six months at UHCW.

The 29-year-old has finally been discharged from University Hospital, Coventry, where he underwent 23 operations which included a right leg amputation and a hemipelvectomy following a motorbike accident in April.

“My life will be different now and I’ll have to overcome a lot of new challenges,’ said Joe. “I’m looking forward to going home to see family and friends, and to start the next chapter of my life. I’ll still continue to take things a day at a time as that is how I’ve got through this journey so far.”

Joe’s partner, Rosie Ireland, gave up her role as an Assistant Manager for a student accommodation in Leicester so she could be by Joe’s side and has visited him in hospital every day since he was admitted.

“At one point, the staff in ICU told me Joe was the illest patient in the hospital and there were a few occasions when he nearly didn’t make it,” said Rosie.

Joe, who was working for shipping container firm Algeco in Nuneaton at the time of his accident, spent 40 days in ICU and needed 190 units of blood as he recovered from his injuries.

Numerous departments and teams were involved in his care, including Paramedics, Air Ambulance, Emergency Department, Major Trauma, Critical Care and Outreach, Trauma and Orthopaedic, Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, Urology, Blood Transfusion/Haematology, Vascular, Cardiothoracic, Neurosurgical, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Arden Mental Health Acute Team (AMHAT), Neuropsychology, Neurorehabilitation, Stoma nurses, Vascular access, Dietetics, Speech and Language Therapy, Pain team, the Therapy team in General Critical Care, and Ward 53 (Orthopaedics).

Joe has shown his appreciation to staff by buying a new TV for the day room on Ward 53 to replace one that was broken. He and Rosie have also bought chocolates and other goodies for staff across the departments who have cared for him.

“I’m happy to be leaving hospital but it’s daunting because I’ve been here for so long,” said Joe. “I’ve forgotten what home looks like!”

“I can’t fault the staff here,” he added. “They were so welcoming. Every department has been absolutely brilliant.”

John McArthur, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, said it was fantastic to see Joe well enough to leave hospital.

“He has surprised us at every step with his strength and resilience,” said Mr McArthur. “Many times, early in his admission, it seemed highly unlikely that he would survive. To require 190 units of blood products for trauma and survive is staggering. His outcome is a testament to what the major trauma system can achieve.

“We will all miss him on the ward, and we wish him and Rosie the best with his ongoing recovery.”