Laughing Mason is on road to recovery
MEDICS PRAISED FOR FAST RESPONSE TO HEAD INJURY
JUST hours after having emergency surgery, Ryan Mason was sitting up in his hospital bed yesterday sharing a laugh with team-mate Michael Dawson.
‘I’ve got an awful headache,’ said the Hull midfielder in a sarcastic tone. Mason’s a fighter and following Sunday’s sickening head collision with Gary Cahill, he was back — as much as he could be — to his usual self.
Banter, jokes and general chit-chat with loved ones at London’s St Mary’s Hospital.
He was groggy, but, given the trauma of the previous 24 hours, that was to be expected.
To those who kept vigil by his bedside he was ‘normal Ryan’, a relief given the uncertainties that accompany serious head injuries.
He was able to hold conversations, respond to questions from friends and family and even spoke about the game, which Chelsea won 2-0. He remembers playing in the match at Stamford Bridge and the moments leading up to the incident that led to him sustaining a fractured skull.
Mason, 25, who is in a stable condition, will remain in hospital for the next few days. But there was significant hope yesterday that he will make a full recovery.
A statement released by Hull read: ‘Ryan has been visited this morning at St Mary’s Hospital by club captain Michael Dawson, club doctor Mark Waller, head of medical Rob Price and club secretary Matt Wild.
‘Ryan has been speaking of the incident yesterday and will continue to be monitored at the hospital over the coming days. Ryan and his family have also been extremely touched by the overwhelming support they have received and would like to thank all of those who have posted such positive comments both on social media and in the press.’
Mason’s father Glen was at Stamford Bridge to watch his son and the player’s family released a statement saying: ‘We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the overwhelming support shown to Ryan during an extremely traumatic 24 hours.
‘We would also like to send a special thank you to the medical teams at Hull City, Chelsea and St Mary’s Hospital.’
Only the medical staff at St Mary’s can evaluate the gravity of Mason’s injury, though indications yesterday were that his life was never in serious danger.
But had it not been for the brilliant work of the Hull and Chelsea medical staff, particularly the Tigers’ club doctor Waller, as well as on-site paramedics, yesterday’s news might not have been so positive.
Protocols and procedures from the FA, who have been in touch with Hull to offer their support and best wishes to Mason, and the Premier League are in place for when such injuries occur.
But having the clarity of mind to put those guidelines to use in such a high-pressure situation needs applauding.
In establishing the severity of Mason’s head injury, the priority for medics who attended to the Hull player was to get him to an ambulance as quickly and safely as possible.
According to the FA’s guideline for head injuries, an emergency action plan should be in place at each stadium and training ground to deal with such circumstances. The plan should include a map of the stadium, with emergency exit points, and clearly-marked ambulance siting and arrival areas.
In addition, the plan should be made available to visiting teams’ staff, while a clear communication pathway for summoning emergency services must also be included.
At Stamford Bridge, the ambulance siting point is at the players’ entrance that heads directly into the tunnel. Mason was carried up a few steps and then about 30 yards straight into a waiting ambulance.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, less than half a mile away, is the closest to Stamford Bridge. But the decision was made to take Mason to St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington, which is just over three miles away.
St Mary’s is one of four major trauma hospitals in London, specialising in emergency care for serious injuries. Upon his arrival, he was examined before being taken into theatre.
Peter McCabe, chief executive of leading brain injury charity Headway, said: ‘I was at the match and, while it was upsetting to witness the incident, it was encouraging to see the exemplary reaction of the medical teams.
‘Headway has been critical of the way in which head injuries have been treated in many high-profile football incidents in recent years, but it is positive to see that lessons appear to have been learned.’
All in all, the mood was hugely positive yesterday. Indeed, Mason was described to be in ‘a good place and in a good way’. We should all be thankful for that.