Awarded a degree... by doctor who saved my life 30 years ago
BORN three months early, she was not expected to survive the days after her difficult birth.
But Sarah Beattie defied all expectations and yesterday collected her second law degree – from the man who saved her life more than 30 years ago.
Weighing only 1lb 5oz, she came into the world on February 4, 1986, when Naren Patel, now Lord Patel and Chancellor at Dundee University, was the consultant obstetrician on duty at the city’s Ninewells Hospital.
Miss Beattie, now 31, was brought up hearing stories about her birth and of the care she and her mother received from the doctor.
Yesterday, she said: ‘It’s wonderful and a bit surreal to meet him properly today and thank him.
‘He has been a major part of our lives and I will always remember him.’
Her mother, Morag, credits Lord Patel with saving her daughter’s life after she was rushed to hospital and gave birth 14 weeks early.
The 52-year-old recalled: ‘In those days, prematurely born babies often didn’t survive.
‘After she was born she was immediately whisked away to an incubator and I never saw her for some hours.
‘I wasn’t allowed even to hold her for about six weeks.
‘I had her baptised the day after she was born as we never expected her to make it.
‘Although she was so small, I felt though I had to hold her and took a moment to pick her up.
‘Lord Patel came into the room and I thought I was going to get into trouble. He told me not to worry just to hold her and to cherish her. It was a moment I will never forget.’
As the proud mother watched Miss Beattie, from Dundee, receive her initial law degree from Lord Patel last year, she recognised him.
She said: ‘I couldn’t believe it when I saw him at the Caird Hall and he was presenting Sarah with her cap. I realised it was the same kind doctor that helped Sarah live after a difficult birth.’
Lord Patel studied at St Andrews and Dundee universities and spent 49 years in the city helping bring countless babies into the world.
He is a crossbench peer and since 2006 has been Chancellor of the University of Dundee, where he yesterday awarded Miss Beattie her post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Meeting his former patient before the ceremony at Caird Hall, he modestly played down his part in the birth.
Lord Patel said: ‘I had very little to do, I just happened to be there and assisted Morag in a small way through the delivery.
‘Sarah, what you see today, is all because of the Special Baby Care Unit. My role was minor, I happened to be there at the right time.
‘Fortunately, these days, things have changed. Back then there was less chance of Sarah surviving but here she is today, a lawyer getting her second degree. It’s marvellous.’
The graduate was moved to tears when she was finally able to speak to Lord Patel.
She said: ‘It’s amazing. Last year I didn’t realise the connection when I graduated. It was only after the ceremony Mum told me he was the doctor who helped us all those years ago.’
‘Moment I’ll never forget’