Anne returns to hospital to thank staff for her care after horse accident
The Princess Royal has returned to the hospital where she was treated after her suspected horse-related accident to thank medical teams for their care.
Anne arrived at Southmead Hospital in Bristol on Thursday to reunite with doctors and nurses who looked after her, and tour the building.
The King’s sister has described how “every day is a bonus” after she suffered concussion and minor head injuries in the accident last June.
After the accident, an air ambulance and emergency services were dispatched to the scene at Anne’s Gloucestershire home and, following medical care by a crew, the princess was rushed 30 miles away to Southmead by road for tests, treatment and observation.
She spent five nights in the major hospital after the accident on June 23 and did not return to public royal duties until almost three weeks later after rehabilitation support at home.
On a recent tour to South Africa, the princess remarked of the incident: “It just reminds you, shows you – you never quite know, something (happens) and you might not recover.”
More than seven months after she was discharged, Anne has travelled to the hospital, including the intensive care unit (ICU), to hear from staff about the work they do.
Anne will also view the air ambulance helicopter pad and the staff garden.
Southmead Hospital is the regional specialist intensive care unit for departments such as major trauma, neurosciences, plastic surgery and burns, and infectious diseases.
North Bristol NHS Trust is one of the largest hospital trusts in the UK with more than 13,000 staff.
Southmead Hospital Charity is launching a fundraising appeal to transform the lives of stroke survivors and patients with neurological conditions.
The charity aims to raise more than £400,000 for a groundbreaking walkerbot – a state-of-the-art device that helps patients relearn how to walk, restoring independence and mobility.
Donations can be made at southmeadhospitalcharity.org.uk/support-us/walkerbot/