POLICE who rushed to the aid of a seriously injured man after finding a 'large pool of blood' have been praised by a brain injury charity boss.
Officers from West Mercia Police did not simply let it lie when they found blood and a mobile phone on a flight of steep steps in Stanway Close, Worcester near Sainsbury's in Blackpole.
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Concerned the casualty's welfare could be at stake, detective work by officers ultimately led police to the home of the injured man who had suffered a 'serious' and 'nasty' head injury.
Officers received reports of blood on the stairs at around 7am on Monday (January 23). There is currently no criminal investigation as it is believed the man fell.
Officers forced entry, finding the casualty in a confused state. Paramedics were called and the man was taken to hospital for further treatment.
Now their swift actions have earned praise from the chief executive officer of Headway Worcestershire who says time can be of the essence in such cases.
Mandie Fitzgerald, chief executive of Headway based in Gregory's Mill Street, said: "Well done to the West Mercia Police for their prompt action in recognising the severity of a head injury and its potential consequences.
"An individual who suffers a head injury should take the injury seriously.
"What may seem like a minor bump on the head can end up having severe and long-lasting consequences in a person’s life.
"Time is of the essence when treating head injuries to avoid potentially serious complications, including disability or death.
"What may seem like a minor bump on the head can end up having severe and long-lasting consequences in a person’s life.
"Symptoms of head injuries usually don’t show up for a few days after an accident, meaning that a person could fail to receive medical care when it’s urgent to do so. All medical professionals recommend seeking care immediately upon enduring a head injury.
"Only a doctor can confirm whether or not a person has developed a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even after a minor head injury, brain function can be temporarily impaired, this is sometimes referred to as a concussion. This can lead to difficulties such as headaches, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting, impaired speech, ringing in the ears, fatigue, depression, irritability and memory problems.
"The more severe the brain injury, the more pronounced the long-term effects are likely to be. Survivors of more severe brain injury are likely to have complex long-term problems affecting their personality, their relationships, and their ability to lead an independent life."
A spokesperson for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called by the police at 12.19pm to a residential property following concerns for the welfare of a man.
"An ambulance attended the scene and found a man with a potentially serious injury being cared for by police officers. The man received treatment by ambulance staff before being conveyed to hospital for further treatment."
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