"Battery explosion and Burns to Hand and Leg"

I was at work on a ship and I mistakenly placed a lithium ion battery in my pocket, unknown to me the battery began to short on a set of keys in the same pocket and subsequently exploded, setting my boiler suit and myself aflame. 

I was taken to trauma in Belfast and moved the next day to the burns ward in Dundee Ninewells hospital where I stayed for just over a week. The Ninewells burns department were great and although in quite a bit of pain felt safe on the fact that I was being looked after well. 

After my hospital stay I was given to the care of the Dunfermline plastics team at an outpatient clinic in the Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy. I was in the care of the Plastics nurses for approximately Two months before my burns were deemed healed enough to be discharged. 

The outpatient nurses were utterly faultless and were fantastic in both their knowledge and skills when treating my burns. The team put me at ease when attending my appointments, gave me advice and answered any of my questions. They were also very helpful out-with appointments when phoned up due to an unexpected dressing issue or if I had forgotten to ask for advice during my appointment. 

All of the team that I met during my many appointments were equally amazing however I would love to say a massive special thanks to Caroline, Naomi, Amanda and Pauline, of whom I saw the most. They made me laugh and all the while maintaining impeccable professionalism. They are a real asset to the NHS and I count myself lucky to have had them looking after me. It’s not often you look forward to a hospital appointment but with this team I really did. 

I’ll not say that the last few months have been easy by any stretch however the personalism and care given to me while I was on the mend really helped keep me going. 

With regards to feedback and suggestions I honestly wouldn’t change a thing… other than the fact I set fire to myself! but if I hadn’t then I wouldn’t have met these lovely amazing people.