OUR BIG THANK YOU TO THE NHS
John Stubbs suffered a near-fatal heart attack outside a Cardiff City match in 1997, before a passing doctor performed CPR for nine minutes until he found a pulse. Twenty years on, he suffered a second cardiac arrest but was again ‘miraculously’ saved by
Dear Echo,
Can I through your paper express my deepest gratitude and admiration to our wonderful NHS we have in Wales.
Twenty years ago, on Boxing Day 1997, my husband John suffered a cardiac arrest while leaving Ninian Park.
His life was saved by an onlooker who by chance happened to be a young doctor – Dr Kier Williams.
He worked on John relentlessly, applying CPR until, after nine minutes, he finally found a pulse.
John was then taken by St John Ambulance to Cardiff Royal Infirmary.
That young doctor saved his life and I am eternally grateful.
Twenty years on, on May 20, 2017, my husband suffered a second cardiac arrest in our home, while relaxing watching TV.
Before my very eyes he took his last breaths. I immediately phoned 999. Miraculously, the paramedics were in my home within three minutes.
They worked on him and got him breathing so, for the second time in his life, he has survived a cardiac arrest.
My family and I would like to express our sincere thanks and admiration to these wonderful human beings who dedicate their lives to saving others.
As a 77-year-old woman, when you are faced with something as frightening as this and dealing with it, your first action is the telephone and you dial 999. From that point on you go into shock.
But as soon as the paramedics arrive they take over, then into the resuscitation unit, onto intensive care, the coronary care unit, and then subsequent wards.
In my experience, everybody in the NHS is brilliant.
The care they give is top class and the aftercare John has received over the past 20 years at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) has been second-to-none.
The doctors, nurses, porters, canteen staff, receptionists, cleaners, etc, are all dedicated to their careers, giving their patients the best.
I reiterate we have the best National Health Service which we must preserve and NEVER let it be privatised.
It must be free at the point of need.
Without the NHS my husband would not be alive today, he would have been deprived his devoted family which includes three children and their partners, grandchildren and partners, and great grandchildren who have all been a wonderful source of love and support to me during my husband’s illnesses.
To conclude, my thanks go to John’s GP Dr Wyn Davies and his staff, the dedicated doctors and nurses at UHW coronary care wards, and the paramedics and fire service who attended him on May 20.
Their professionalism saved his life.
John is now recovering at home, grateful to be alive.
He wishes to convey his thanks for the kindness, patience and dedication he received from all the staff at UHW during his stay with them.
Kindest regards, Margy Stubbs