Patients who have become part of a major new initiative at Birmingham’s leading hospital have celebrated Christmas together.

The 11 patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) have all been fitted with special external frames to help heal complex fractures which could not be repaired using traditional surgical techniques.

The Frames Service was started in 2009 by trauma consultant Deepa Bose, and is an important part of QEHB’s trauma service. It provides a method of helping bones to knit, using slim metal pins and wire rods which are inserted into the bones through the skin and then supported with an external frame.

All of the patients decorated their frames with Christmas tinsel, lights or other adornments, and they were joined by Miss Bose, as well as Keith Porter, Professor of Clinical Traumatology, and Philippa Bridgeman, Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Frames Service.

Professor Porter said he was delighted to see so many patients at the event, as it showed how the service was developing: “This is relatively new to this trust, and I’m delighted to see so many of the patients here and up and walking.

“It’s a multi-disciplinary approach, including Miss Bose, Philippa and of course the Physiotherapy Team. I’m delighted we have this service, and it will be in great demand.

“We’re proud of the patients and proud of this service.”

Ed Robson, one of the patients who attended the event, suffered severe leg injuries in a motorbike accident in 1999.

Mr Robson, from Redditch, underwent several procedures to repair the damage before having a frame fitted in May 2010, and is delighted with the treatment: “Miss Bose and Mr Porter are just amazing people – the best surgeons I have come across. They’re absolutely straight with you and the frame should sort my leg out, finally.”