This week, the physiotherapy department held a showcase in the atrium of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in order to raise awareness of the work that they do, demonstrating the life changing impact that is made by the team and raising funds to support their work.

The physiotherapy department work at the hospital and treat patients with a huge variety of conditions, helping them to keep as healthy as possible, rehabilitating them after major operations, or in the case of Chris Price, change lives before operations take place.

Chris recently received a liver transplant at QEHB, despite being told in the past that he would not be considered for a transplant due to his poor health and fitness. Chris was referred to the physiotherapy team who helped him begin a regime of gentle exercise, building up his fitness to the point where he was able to receive his life-saving liver transplant, losing three stone in the process.

Chris said: “I wouldn’t have had my transplant without the physio team who got me fit for the operation. Alice and Ashleigh from the physio team helped me after my operation too, helping me recover to the extent that I was able to leave hospital just a week after the transplant!

“Physio can save people’s lives, it really did save mine!” Chris added. Alice Vallance works as a physiotherapist at QEHB and was part of the team that treated Chris before his operation. Alice hopes to promote exercise in the general population, including alternative forms of exercise that can help to keep people fit.

Alice said: “Having major surgery such as a liver transplant is like running a marathon. You shouldn’t take it on without preparing properly, and good preparation increases your chances of survival greatly. In Chris’ case, he made some changes to his lifestyle that meant that he was in a much better position to receive the transplant that he so desperately needed.”

Alice was joined by other members of the physiotherapy team in the atrium, and spent much of the day pedalling along on a static bike, encouraging people to come along and find out a little more about the physiotherapy team and the work that they do.

The money raised from the event will go towards funding smart watches that track the wearer’s activity, promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle. As for Chris, he is determined to continue his good work, saying: “Perhaps one day I’ll be able to compete in the transplant games! I used to work as a teacher before ill health stopped me from working, and I hope that I can go back into teaching now that I’ve had a lifesaving liver transplant.”

To find out more about how QEHB Charity supporters liver patients at the hospital, click here.

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