England players visit Stoke Mandeville Hospital

England players visiting National Spinal Injuries Centre

England players visit National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital
The players meet staff and join patients during game

Patients at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital were given a lift last week when they were visited by a host of senior England rugby stars.

Elite squad members Andrew Sheridan, Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks), Steve Thompson (Leeds Carnegie), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), Delon Armitage (London Irish) and Dave Attwood (Gloucester Rugby) visited the hospital, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Paralympic games movement, last Wednesday (October 27).

The players joined a group of children who are patients at the NSIC during a game designed to develop their passing and throwing techniques and were taught a few basic skills in core strength and balance.

They also took a tour of the centre, visiting wards and the rehabilitation gym where patients and staff were excited to meet the team and tell them about the work that goes on there.

Moved by the visit, Thompson said: "The staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital do a superb job and it was humbling to see not only the work they do but also meet the patients who openly talk about their injuries and determination to work with the physios, doctors and nurses to improve the quality of their lives".

RFU Injured Players Foundation support

England players visiting National Spinal Injuries Centre


Among the patients was Army rugby player Isoa Qalubau, who is recovering from a recent spinal injury. Through the support and work of the nursing staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Isoa has regained movement in his right and left arms and upper body in recent weeks.

Isoa benefits from the support of the RFU Injured Players Foundation, set up to support rugby players who suffer a catastrophic injury, and hopes to return home as quickly as possible.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the visit from the England players and wish to thank them for taking the time to do so," said Isoa.

"Additionally I wish to thank the RFU Injured Players Foundation team and the staff at the NSIC for all their support."

Kirsten Hart, superintendent physiotherapist at the NSIC, added: "It was great to see the rugby players interacting with our patients and listening to their stories.

"Staff in the gym got a real boost from their visit and it gave us all a sense of achievement and determination to carry on with the work that we do here".

The RFU's Injured Player Welfare officer Dave Phillips was also at the event and was full of praise for the England Internationals, saying: "It's great that the lads took time out of their busy training schedules to visit the NSIC.

"Everyone does such a fantastic job at the hospital."