‘Amazing’ surgeon’s life-saving dash for vital op on Jess
HE RUSHED TO HOSPITAL ON HIS DAY OFF TO CARRY OUT EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
AN “amazing” surgeon rushed in to work on his day off to save the life of a young woman.
Dr Syed Iftikhar was not supposed to be working when he heard that one of his patients, 25-year-old Jess Wilson, was being sent into theatre for emergency surgery.
The mother-of-two had developed pneumonia and sepsis due to a bile leak – something that can prove fatal if left untreated.
Jess was set to go under the knife of a different surgeon, but Dr Iftikhar drove straight to the Royal Derby Hospital to help his patient.
Dr Iftikhar, who has worked for the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton Trust for more than 25 years, is a consultant laparoscopic and upper gastrointestinal surgeon.
When Jess came around and thanked him, he replied: “I didn’t get into medicine for my days off, I got into medicine to make people better.”
The incident, which took place in August last year, had started after Jess developed complications in the hospital.
“I had a bile leak into my stomach, which I didn’t know at the time, and this caused sepsis,” she said.
“I was struggling to breathe due to the pneumonia and they told me on Sunday morning I was being taken into surgery.
“I saw Dr Iftikhar and said ‘I thought it was your day off?’ and he said ‘you don’t get into medicine for days off.’ It made me so emotional. “He kept popping to the ward to see I was all right. I kept thanking him and he kept saying ‘please don’t.’ He’s an amazing man.” Following his actions, the Castle Donington mum nominated the surgeon for the trust’s patient hero award for going above and beyond to help in her time of need. However, Dr Iftikhar says the most important thing is his patients’ wellbeing.
He said: “I come from a very humble background and have always wanted to help people whenever I can. I have never gone for glory or recognition. To me, patient care is paramount and the appreciation I get from the patients for just doing my job encourages me to work harder and do more for our communities.”
Presenting him with the award, Kathy Mclean, chair of the NHS trust, said: “It is a great honour to present you with this award. We both started at the trust back in 1994, and I know that you have always put patients at the heart of everything you do. You clearly had a massive impact on Jess, who nominated you. It really is so special when a patient or relative goes out of their way to thank us for the work that we do. Well done.”
I kept thanking him and he kept saying ‘please don’t. He’s an amazing man. Jess Wilson