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NHS helps motorcyclist on his road to glory

A North East motorbike racer, who became national champion ‘against all the odds’ not long after his latest shoulder surgery, has thanked NHS staff for their role in his incredible story.

Chrissy Rouse, from Newcastle, became the British champion in the National Superstock 1000 category in October 2020.

Just seven months earlier, he had been on the operating table for emergency surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead following a crash in Spain and only returned to riding motorbikes in late June – despite clinicians’ surprise at the short recovery time.

But this was just the latest shoulder problem for the 25-year-old part-time maths teacher, following an earlier dislocation, and he has also received ongoing care, including surgery, from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

And given his knowledge and oversight of Chrissy’s complex shoulder issues, the Trust’s Jaime Candal-Couto, an orthopaedics consultant, has been filmed as part of a documentary about the motorcyclist’s amazing ride to glory.

Dr Candal-Couto said: “We always take people’s circumstances into account and strive to provide the best personalised care that we can, so patients are able to carry on with their lives, whatever that may involve.”

Chrissy added: “I was extremely grateful for the excellent surgery and aftercare provided by Jaime and the team. I felt I was very involved in the decision of which surgery to take and my options were very clearly explained giving me the options.

“I’d like to say a big thank-you to the team for their part in my recovery, which allowed me to have a very successful season on track.”

Also featured in the documentary, which is being developed by Dave Baum, is Jagannath Chakravarthy, consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon specialising in shoulder and elbow surgery at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, who performed Chrissy’s surgery last March.

And despite his role in Chrissy’s care, Dr Candal-Couto was keen for Dr Chakravarthy to take the lion’s share of the credit given the success of the most recent operation.

“I was also incredibly impressed by Chrissy’s recovery and determination to get back on his bike – after losing his team and sponsorship in the wake of his injury – let alone his ride to the championship title,” Dr Candal-Couto added.

Mr Baum, a cameraman and editor who has self-funded the project, is hoping to release the film in April or May online, with the aim of having a cinema screening if possible later in the year as well entering it into film festivals.

On the appearance in the film of the two surgeons – as well as the biker’s physiotherapist, he said: “I am thrilled that they are willing and able to discuss it, as in terms of Chrissy’s 2020 season, both surgeons played important roles in the outcome.”