West Health Correspondent
A cyclist left with devastating facial injuries after being knocked off his bike by a drunk driver is one of the first patients to benefit from a unique NHS body parts printing centre.
The Bristol 3D Medical Centre covers the whole of the South West and is believed to be the first in the UK to have 3D imaging and printing all in a single space.
It provides scientific and technical support to trauma patients through state-of-the-art digital technology and specialist reconstructive expertise.
Dave Richards, from Devon, said following his accident that the centre helped to make him “feel a lot more comfortable in myself”.
In July 2021, Mr Richards was cycling in Meare, Somerset, with two of his friends when they were hit by a drunk driver.
The 75-year-old from Devon said: “He [the driver] came up behind us and was on his phone.
“My two friends were knocked clear but suffered multiple fractures.
“I, unfortunately, got trapped underneath the vehicle so I got severe burns down one side of my body and face and suffered crush injuries, ribs on my right hand side.”
After multiple operations for reconstruction at Southmead Hospital in Bristol and rehabilitation with numerous medical specialties, Dave has begun to get his life back together.
He continues to visit the the Bristol 3D Medical Centre where he has just been given facial prosthetics. A large orbital prosthesis and neck scar splints have been made with the aid of the centre’s technology.
Mr Richards can also have a 3D scan to capture his face digitally to develop replicas of him and then design the moulds for these prosthesis.
Dave told the : “Most times people don’t notice. I have had to live with this for four years. Most of this is in my head. A lot of the time people don’t notice or don’t say anything or accept the way I am.
He added: “If I want to socialise a lot I feel a lot more comfortable in myself if I look in a mirror and look reasonable.”
The Bristol 3D Medical Centre Opened in April on the old Frenchay Hospital site on the outskirts of the city.
The centre consolidates a new science and technology service into one space and was one of the first NHS Hospitals to receive a PEEK printer which makes bespoke items at temperatures as high as 200 degrees celsius.
A scanner tool can digitally map an individual’s body whilst sat in a specifically designed planning room which is sophisticated enough to scan moving babies.
The centre is also finding many new applications, such as a 3D model of a damaged kidney showing surgeons not only the area to be removed but nerves and blood vessels to avoid. It is believed to be the first in the UK to have this all in a single space.
The majority of the equipment was funded by the Southmead Hospital Charity, the official charity of North Bristol NHS Trust.
