Patient backs Morriston burns unit
A GARDENER who suffered horrific injuries while burning rubbish is backing a campaign to ensure South Wales retains a high speciality burns unit.
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Alan Parkhouse was getting rid of waste in the back garden of his home at Forge Road, Port Talbot, when an aerosol can exploded covering him in flames.
He was treated for 55% burns in April 2001 and he and his wife Carol, who run Classical Toys and Models in Forge Road, said they were extremely grateful for the high standard of care he received in Swansea's Morriston Hospital.
The hospital is competing with Bristol to be one of just six specialist centres for treating burns in the UK.
Mr Parkhouse is helping to gather a petition against any downgrading of the burns and plastic surgery unit at Morriston.
The unit treats around 300 adults and 150 children a year after taking over the specialist burns role in Wales from St Lawrence Hospital in Chepstow.
Morriston and Bristol are competing to be the centre providing specialist facilities for the South-West of England and Wales.
Although Morriston would retain burns facilities if Bristol won the Government vote, serious cases would be transferred across the Severn.
Morriston at present deals with severe burns cases not only from across Wales but also from the South-West of England.
Staff at the hospital were highly praised for the way they treated around a dozen serious burns cases following the explosion at the Corus steel plant three years ago.
Then, surgeons at Morriston used a pioneering method involving the use of shark cartilage to treat burned skin.
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