Middlesbrough Football Club has shown its backing to its local health trust by allowing one of its top medics Bryan English, to join the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr English started his role at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust this week.
He will work in the trust’s urgent care centres at both of its hospitals in Stockton and Hartlepool – helping patients with fractures and musculoskeletal issues.
This will help free up other health professionals to care for patients with COVID-19.
Dr English has a wealth of experience having worked at Chelsea Football Club and Derby County Football Club.
He has also worked for Team Great Britain at Olympic games in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. Helping athletes perform at the very highest level in sports including track and field, basketball and ice hockey.
He said: “I am looking forward to having a role in helping my local health trust at its time of need.
“I’ve worked in a range of roles, including in the NHS, and hope my experience will benefit patients and the organisation.
“Players at the club still need looking after – there are still some coming back from injury and training programmes. But this is an opportunity, while the season is paused, to offer any help I can.
“I’m really grateful to Middlesbrough and to Steve Gibson for all of their support in allowing me to do this. I really appreciate it and it shows the kind of community club we really are.”
Dr English has worked as an orthopaedic consultant in the NHS before for trusts in Sheffield and Leeds.
He has previously worked before with one of the Trust’s emergency care consultants, Dougal Southward, for various regional medical events.
Mr Southward said: “We are delighted to have someone of Bryan’s experience and knowledge on board. We have known each other for many years. I know his expertise will be invaluable to the organisation at this time.
“Thank you to Middlesbrough Football Club for their magnificent support at this time, a true community institution.”