Family’s thanks to crew who saved dad’s life
ANEWCASTLE family have met the North East Ambulance crew who saved their father’s life. Duncan Stuart, from South Gosforth, needed urgent help from the North East Ambulance Service a year ago after he experienced swelling under his eye which began to spread rapidly.
Soon he was struggling to walk and after sending a photo of his eye to his paramedic daughter, Jennifer, she immediately called an ambulance.
And now, a year later, dad of three Duncan was reunited with the crew who saved his life.
Jennifer also attended the reunion alongside her dad, and thanked the crew for their care and for saving her father’s life.
After the 999 call, paramedic Paulina Wieclaw and clinical care assistant Mark Clay arrived at the scene within 30 minutes.
Paulina said: “As soon as we arrived at Duncan’s home, I focused on gathering detailed history to be able to establish what was wrong and to be able to give high standard care.
“I had to recognise the underlying issue and act quickly to make sure the patient received the right treatment and reach further care at hospital to increase his chance of survival.”
The crew initially suspected Duncan was suffering from anaphylactic shock, but at hospital, he was diagnosed with strep A, sepsis and necrotising fasciitis, a bacterial infection that destroys areas of the skin. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, and was put into a coma within 30 minutes of arrival.
Duncan said: “The hospital staff told me I had a slim chance of survival but I spent 42 days in hospital, 10 of which were in a coma, and survived and now I am still recovering a year on.
“I received excellent care from the crew and without them, I wouldn’t be here today.
“I wanted to meet the crew in person and thank them for what they did for me.
“I owe them my life and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I think they’re brilliant for what they do.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the care I received from Paulina and her quick thinking but also to Mark for swiftly and safely getting me to the hospital.
“I would also like to thank health adviser Hannah for her reassurance on the phone. to my stepdaughter Emma.”