Simply the best

ON the mend: footballer Stephen Purches with Sister Susan Briscall

A PROFESSIONAL footballer has praised the Royal Oldham Hospital after a successful operation following a double leg fracture.

Bournemouth defender Stephen Purches suffered the nasty injury in a League One clash at Rochdale on Saturday, February 18.

He was taken straight to the Royal Oldham by ambulance and treated on the hospital’s new Trauma Assessment and Stabilisation Unit (TASU) which opened in December.

The 32-year-old said: “I was very impressed with the care, treatment and service I received at The Royal Oldham Hospital.

“The staff couldn’t have cared for me better. I have been in many hospitals and private clinics during my footballing career and I have to say the Royal Oldham is one of, if not the best.

“Once again, my sincere thanks and gratitude go to all the staff at the Royal Oldham.”

Purches broke both the bones in his right leg in a challenge with Rochdale skipper Gary Jones in the opening moments of the match at Spotland.

The specialist centre for emergency trauma and orthopaedic services has been established within the hospital for patients who need rapid surgery. Before its creation, patients would be admitted to a general orthopaedic ward and could wait up to two days for their operation.