Paige's story

Paige Holmes was left unconscious, with devastating brain injuries after being hit by a car.
 
The 13-year-old, from Derbyshire, was treated at the hospital’s Intensive Care and Neurosciences Units for diffuse axonal injury (DAI).
 

Mum Shirley explains: “She was transferred to the Children’s Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit where a CT scan revealed the full extent of her head injuries.”
 
It showed that Paige had DAI, which is one of the most devastating types of traumatic brain injury and a major cause of long-term unconsciousness.
 
“Paige’s head injuries were so severe they were the equivalent of Shaken Baby Syndrome. She was covered in cuts and bruises and had a broken collar bone.”
 
While in intensive care, Paige had two further CT scans, an MRI scan and an Intracranial Pressure bolt fitted in her head to monitor pressure on the brain and help staff plan treatments.
 
“Paige was eventually moved to the Neurosciences Unit, which had specialist equipment such as integrated hoists to support her rehabilitation and experts like Consultant Neurosurgeon Mr John McMullan to help her on the road to recovery.
 
“The doctors and nurses were wonderful and really did go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the very best care and treatment. The ward manager Lucy Olding was like a second mum to Paige. The team cared for her like a member of their own family.”
 
Her rehabilitation also included visits to Ryegate Children’s Centre, where a team of specialist nurses work closely with consultant paediatric neurologists to support families of children with complex neurological disorders like Paige.
 
“After a number of sessions at Ryegate, she is now back at home, relearning simple things such as walking and talking. There is a long road ahead, but if it wasn’t for the Children’s, Paige wouldn’t be here.”

The bigger picture

Cases like Paige’s involve staff from many disciplines and services to ensure the patient makes the best recovery possible. 
 
Neurosciences, which covers neurology, neurosurgery, neurophysiology, neuro-rehabilitation, neuro-psychology and neuroradiology, is one of the Trust’s flagship services treating patients who have suffered brain injuries or have conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord and muscles such as meningitis or epilepsy.
 
The intensive care unit is part of the hospital’s state-of-the-art Critical Care facility for children treated as emergency admissions or for complex surgery.  It is situated alongside the High Dependency and Neonatal Surgical units meaning all critical care services are in close proximity.
 
The hospital’s CT scanner provides highly detailed 3D images to aid potentially life-saving diagnosis and treatment.  

The hospital’s state-of-the-art MRI scanner for clinical and research purposes provides high level imaging to support the treatment of children by a range of specialties.

The neurology nursing service based in Ryegate Children’s Centre is made up of a team of specialist nurses who work closely with the consultant paediatric neurologists. The nursing team provides a wide range of support and advice to families of children with complex neurological disorders within the hospital, the community and district.