Champion jockey opens new fracture clinic (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Champion jockey opens new fracture clinic

OFFICIALLY opening Cheltenham General Hospital's new £700,000 Fracture Clinic and Orthopaedic Theatre Suite rekindled painful memories for Naunton's Peter Scudamore.

Mr Scudamore, National Hunt champion jockey eight times, recalled the occasions he suffered fractured bones while falling from horses during nearly 20 years as a jockey.

He said his main injuries were two broken legs, a broken arm and a dislocated wrist, all of which were mended by the hospital's orthopaedic surgeons.

Mr Scudamore, now a trainer, said: "Because the adrenaline's flowing at the time, it's surprising how little pain fractures cause, compared to the annoyance of knowing you're going to miss race-riding.

"The most painful thing I ever did was dislocate my wrist. That was agony, even after the operation."

Mr Scudamore reserved special praise for Guy Rooker and Donald Ainscow, orthopaedic consultants at the hospital.

He said: "They always looked after me. They were absolutely brilliant."

The Fracture Clinic and Orthopaedic Department has been expanded and enhanced, with the help of £265,000-worth of Government funding, to improve efficiency, while providing a better environment and service for patients.

Caption: Former champion jockey and former patient Peter Scudamore tours the new operating theatre