News from Oriol Ripol
Sale Sharks Team Up With the UK's Largest Independent Healthcare Provider
Sat 4th Oct 08 - 14:31
BMI The Alexandra Hospital, Cheadle, formally announced their sponsorship of the Guinness Premiership's Sale Sharks RFC, for the 2009 season at an exclusive Christmas celebration event this week at the Sale Sharks home ground, Edgeley Park, in Stockport. Guests at the event heard that consultants from the hospital will be offering on-the-ground support to all team members throughout the rugby season in the event of any injuries sustained during matches or training as well as diagnosis and treatment at BMI The Alexandra Hospital.
Guests were joined by former England rugby winger and record try scorer Rory Underwood MBE, who gave an inspirational speech to the hospital consultants and other attendees to mark the event. Underwood spoke about the importance of teamwork in the sports and medical fields, describing the sponsorship as a great opportunity for both the hospital and Sale Sharks.
Sale Sharks winger, Oriol Ripol, has already experienced the care and dedication of the OrthTeam at BMI The Alexandra Hospital following an injury sustained during a match and commented, "I was thrilled to hear that BMI The Alexandra Hospital were sponsoring the team, having been injured earlier this year. Consultant Mr Len Funk from the OrthTeam at BMI The Alexandra Hospital was able to operate on me within an hour and limit the damage to my arm. It's the kind of dedication and commitment from the hospital that allows us to continue training and competing at the highest level, with the confidence that we have the best medical assistance available to us should we need it."
Michael Stroud, Executive Director of BMI The Alexandra Hospital said, "We hope, in conjunction with our consultants from BMI The Alexandra Hospital, to develop further research on the type of injuries that professional rugby players incur during the course of their careers. This may lead to improvements in training methods and tactics which may help to prevent these injuries occurring during their careers."
The OrthTeam at BMI The Alexandra Hospital consists of eight specialist consultants in two main areas of expertise: upper limb surgeons and lower limb surgeons. Each consultant will be offering the Sale Sharks players unique, expert and speedy care for their sporting injuries.