Last Thursday 7 May Macquarie University Hospital was honoured by a visit from Prince Harry, who came to meet Lieutenant Alistair Spearing, a 31 year old British soldier who lost both of his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2011.

Last month Lieutenant Spearing had travelled across the world to Macquarie’s osseointegration clinic for groundbreaking treatment performed by orthopaedic surgeon Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis. On 28 April Lt Spearing was fitted with new robotic legs, and has since undergone daily physiotherapy, enabling him to now walk short distances.

Prince Harry was met by Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis, Macquarie University Hospital CEO Carol Bryant, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Professor Patrick McNeil, Associate Dean, International and Engagement, Professor John Boyages and Ms Belinda Bosley, assistant to Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis. Despite it being a private visit, more than 300 members of the Macquarie and local community also took the opportunity for a glimpse of royalty.

As part of his visit Prince Harry was given a private tour of the Macquarie University Hospital and Clinic, where he met with Lt. Spearing and his fiancé Claire, and had the surgery and rehabilitation process explained by Munjed Al Muderis as well as the wider treatment teams from the Osseointegration clinic and the Clinic Physiotherapy team.

Prince Harry described the surgery as ‘life-changing’, and expressed an interest in having Munjed’s team flown to the UK so that more British serviceman can benefit from their services.

Macquarie University Hospital CEO Carol Bryant said the team was thrilled by the visit.

“We’re very proud of the ground-breaking work being carried out by Associate Professor Al Muderis. Our approach to treatment is to combine the best available knowledge and expertise to ensure patients like Lt Spearing receive the best possible treatment, compassion, support and care.”

Read more about HRH Prince Harry’s visit and background features on Dr Munjed Al Muderis and Lieutenant Alistair Spearing in the Newsroom.