News
A Good Samaritan and a great surgeon!
The Department of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery has its very own Good Samaritan in Mr David Nicoll, Clinical Senior Lecturer & Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Dave also happens to be the team doctor for Dundee United football club and was attending the recent Dundee Derby football match when Dundee’s captain, James McPake, suffered a dreadful knee injury and was stretchered off the field of play and taken to Ninewells Hospital.
There is a great (mostly friendly) rivalry between both Dundee teams and supporters so it came as a bit of a shock to McPake when he realised he, the Dundee captain, was being operated on by the Dundee Utd doctor! His playing career effectively in the hands of The Enemy! Mr Nicoll however put his club allegiance and rivalry to one side. After some friendly banter with the Dundee Skipper and with the utmost professionalism agreed to take the case on and performed internal fixation of James's patellar fracture.
Mr Nicoll said "I had the Dundee captain's career in my hands and although a fervent Dundee United fan, I knew that ethically I had to do a good job! I enjoyed the case and made a nice job of it. He's actually a great guy and I hope he gets back to playing next season although hopefully not too well against United (if we're in the same league that is)!!"
