Yahoo News Newcastle family reunite with North East ambulance crew who saved dad's life
A Newcastle family have reunited with the North East Ambulance crew who saved the father's life after calling 999. Duncan Stuart from South Gosforth needed urgent help from the North East Ambulance Service on the 1st May last year.
Duncan experienced swelling under his eye which began to spread rapidly, and he was soon struggling to walk. After sending a photo to his paramedic daughter, Jennifer, she knew an ambulance was required to get him the care he needed quickly.
One year on, Duncan Stuart reunited with the crew who saved his life. Jennifer Stuart also attended the reunion with her dad, thanking the crew for their care and how they saved his life that day.
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Once an ambulance was dispatched, 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 it was anaphylactic shock, but at hospital, he was diagnosed with strep A, sepsis and necrotising fasciitis, a bacterial infection that destroys areas of the skin. Duncan was taken to RVI hospital 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 with the response from NEAS, 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."
On reuniting with the crew, Duncan added: "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 Hannah for her reassurance on the phone with my stepdaughter."
