March 2011
Scottish Rugby can today confirm that it has renewed its relationship with Spire Healthcare after agreeing a second, three-year, six-figure deal.
Spire Healthcare, which first came on board in January 2008, is a key partner in ensuring Scottish Rugby can deliver the highest possible standards of player welfare.
Scottish Rugby’s Head of Medical Services, James Robson (pictured) – who is Scotland’s team doctor and the leading medic on the last five British and Irish Lions tours – welcomed the sponsorship renewal.
He said: “Player welfare is an absolute priority and I am delighted that our relationship with Spire Healthcare is being renewed. Through Spire we are able to access expertise across the range of medical specialities all with a view to augmenting the diagnosis and excellent clinical care players receive from our own medical teams.”
One player who has benefited from the partnership is Scotland and Glasgow Warriors No 8 Johnnie Beattie, who returned to international action against Ireland at Murrayfield last weekend.
Beattie underwent shoulder surgery at Spire Shawfair Park Hospital in Edinburgh last summer under the care of consultant orthopaedic surgeon Julie McBirnie.
Beattie said: “I can’t speak highly enough of the care I received at Spire, both at their new hospital at Shawfair Park and at Spire Murrayfield. There was a seamless relationship between the staff there and the medical staff both with Glasgow Warriors and Scotland.
“I had the operation on my left shoulder in late July. Miss McBirnie estimated a six month recovery window and thanks to the dedicated support from staff at Spire and the medical teams at Glasgow Warriors and Scotland I have come through my rehab and regained the level of strength in my left shoulder similar to that in my right.”
Wally Bourdelov, Hospital Director at Spire Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Scottish Rugby. We look forward to providing them with state of the art healthcare for another three years.”
Nathan Bombrys, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Commercial, added: “In addition to looking after Scotland’s elite rugby players, our partnership also provides Spire Healthcare with an excellent platform to communicate key messages to a target audience through the national television exposure provided to Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations and Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League.”
The new Spire Healthcare deal will run until December 2013 and also covers both pro-teams, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.