Case Study: Holistic Support Following a Traumatic Road Accident

On 26th February 2023, the client was involved in a severe road traffic incident, resulting in multiple injuries including a major haemorrhage, bowel resection, and stroke. Emergency surgeries and ICU care were required to stabilise the client.

Immediate Needs Assessment

  • The client was referred to HCML in July 2023, five months after the accident.
  • Fatigue: The client was struggling with fatigue but was determined to achieve key goals.
  • Ileostomy Reversal: One of the primary aims was to have the ileostomy reversal undertaken.
  • Socialisation and Activities: The client wanted to socialise more, enjoy Yoga again, and reduce psychological symptoms to improve sleep quality and energy levels.
  • Return to Work: He was keen to return to full-time work at the same capacity as before the accident.
  • Diet and Fitness: Returning to a normal diet and weight, and building up to pre-injury fitness levels were important goals.
  • Family and Leisure: The client wanted to enjoy excursions with his family and return to mountain biking.

HCML support

  • In December 2023, the client underwent a surgical closure of his double-barrelled stoma.

  • Therapy and EMDR sessions were organised to help reduce the impact of the trauma, which reduced his anxiety and improved his mood and sleep.

  • Nutritional support was put in place to provide the guidance needed to put on weight and improve his energy levels.

Outcome

In February 2024, a year after the accident, the client was thrilled to return to work on a graduated basis, albeit with restricted duties. He returned to a normal diet, and his stoma wounds were healing as expected.

By following the nutritionist’s advice, he gained weight, which helped increase his energy levels, and he was on track to gain another half a stone to reach his ideal weight. Through psychotherapy, the client managed his feelings of anxiety, negative thoughts, and recurrent nightmares better.

His fatigue improved, allowing him to enjoy playing football with his sons and participating in all the pre-injury leisure and family activities he had enjoyed before.