Poppy's new nursing skills save dying cyclist

An LJMU student nurse is being praised for saving a man’s leg – and possibly his life – after putting her university training into practice on a London street.

Poppy Leader, a second-year Adult Nursing student, is one of hundreds of LJMU students trained in bleeding injuries thanks to a Liverpool initiative called Knifesavers.

Within weeks of her training, Poppy encountered an injured motorcyclist lying by the side of the road.

“We realised that the man had fallen from his motorbike while joining the motorway and sustained a serious bleeding injury.

“I immediately thought back to my training and applied pressure to his wound. I had to improvise using napkins and someone’s jacket and managed to stem the bleeding before an ambulance arrived.”

The man, it turned out, had been hit by a vehicle in the incident near the Millenium Dome in south-east London and had suffered a deep cut to his leg above his knee. He later underwent surgery and needed 22 stitches.

“He had lost a lot of blood and I’m told it could have been much worse and potentially may have lost his leg, or worse,” she added.

I realised it was only me who could help and I needed to step forward

Poppy Leader, 20, 2nd-Year Adult Nursing student

Poppy has been praised by her lecturers, including Clare Fadero, lecturer in clinical skills and simulation, who said: “We’re really very proud of her. She did the right thing by getting involved and followed her training to the letter. Well done Poppy!”

The student, who is from Skelmersdale, has worked in the NHS since aged 16 and says she has a passion to care.

But the 20-year-old admits she had her doubts: “I remember questioning whether I was experienced enough to deal it and found myself looking around, almost expecting someone more senior to arrive and take over.

“I realised it was only me who could help and I needed to step forward.”

Poppy was buoyed by the response from others at the scene: “It was incredible. Everyone did whatever they could to help. It’s great to see people can come together to support someone who needs help.

“Afterwards, my cousin and I walked back to our hotel in complete shock. We were both emotional and had tears in our eyes but we were grateful we had stopped rather than simply walking past.”

Knifesavers

LJMU nurses are taught the Knifesavers programme in first-year student as part of their simulated placement. The programme is an initiative led by Liverpool medics in response to the growing occurrence of knife crime on the streets. Led by Clare and Kevin Cairns, the skills have been taught to more than 3,000 students.

“I am incredibly grateful that I was able to help this gentleman, and it has reinforced why I have chosen nursing as my future career,” added Poppy. “Helping people in their most vulnerable moments is exactly what I hope to do throughout my nursing career.”