On 19th August 2017 Beccy Humphrey was involved in a horrific incident which caused severe bleeding and bruising to her brain and a fractured skull. The accident left Beccy with no sense of smell or taste and she now needs a hearing aid.

Beccy said: “I was taken to Heartlands Hospital, but the bleed was not slowing down and I was in a life-threatening condition. This was when I was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. After the fourth CT scan, just before the possibility of brain surgery, the bleed started to slow down. I was monitored every 30 minutes instead of going straight through to surgery.”

Beccy had nothing but gratitude to the staff that helped save her life, she said: “Every member of staff that worked with me had the patience of a saint. They were extremely caring and compassionate with my family and friends too who were by my side throughout. I don’t remember much of my two-week stay. One of the things I do remember is being taken through for my CT scans. Even though I was on a bed, I could feel every turn and movement.”
While Beccy was being treated in hospital, she learned about QEHB Charity. The Charity is currently raising money for a portable CT scanner. For many patients at QEHB, particularly those who have suffered major head trauma, the transfer to Radiology is not without risk. These patients need to be disconnected from the ventilator and bedside monitoring, laid flat and then transported two floors down for the scan. When the scan is complete, the process happens in reverse. QEHB are appealing to raise £325,000 to purchase a Portable CT scanner.
The Portable CT scanner will allow radiographers to perform urgent scans for critically injured patients such as Beccy, at their bedsides. Typically, a scan is requested when a patient’s condition is worsening, and therefore when they are at their most unstable, they are likely to be reliant on ventilators and monitoring equipment. Although all staff involved in taking patients to radiology are highly skilled, any movement of a critically ill patient carries risks.

Approximately 150 patients a year will be able to use the Portable CT scanner, allowing crucial treatment to reach them sooner, not only potentially saving their lives, but improving their quality of life post-injury as head injuries can cause life-long disability if the brain sustains permanent damage. For some patients, who are in a severely unstable condition currently miss out on CT scans altogether and are instead treated ‘blind’ as the risks associated with transport are too high.
The Portable CT scanner is an example of care that is ‘over and above’ what the NHS can afford, and what the charity aims to provide for the hospital’s patients.

Beccy said: “When I heard QEHB Charity were raising money for a portable CT scanner, I wanted to help as much as I could, as I understand the importance of having this equipment. It can save lives. My manager at Pertemps told me I could choose the charity that we would support for our ‘Mad Friday’ charity cause, and I didn’t need to think twice about who I wanted to champion.

“I am so grateful for being surrounded by such amazing staff members during my inpatient care. Everyone was amazing and made me feel at ease at such a difficult, scary time. I’d like to thank the hospital for my outpatient care too in all the departments – Neurology, ENT, Audiology and Ophthalmology.”

Beccy’s work colleagues at Pertemps Recruitment in Birmingham raised an amazing £3,200 by taking part in a fancy dress day. Sophie Carroll, Senior Fundraiser at QEHB Charity said: “Hearing Beccy’s story was so inspirational; it was a privilege to meet her and her work colleagues who have raised such a fantastic amount towards our Portable CT Scanner appeal. Each and every donation can help to save a life such as Beccy’s, thank you team!”

If you would like to donate to the Portable CT Scanner appeal and help to fund this life-saving piece of equipment, please visit: hospitalcharity.org/donate

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