Yahoo News Roy 'very lucky' to be alive as training nurses spring into action at rugby club
Nurses attending a staff training session sprung into action to save a man's life after he suffered a cardiac arrest at a Stoke-on-Trent rugby club. Members of the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s (MPFT) community nursing team were alerted to a medical emergency involving Roy Walley who was taking part in a walking football session at Longton Rugby Club.
They acted swiftly to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and utilise a defibrillator, which was available on site, to keep Mr Walley alive whilst an air ambulance was called. He was flown to hospital where he had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) fitted, which can detect a life-threatening, rapid heartbeat and sends an electrical shock to the heart.
He is currently recuperating at home. Mr Walley said: “I wouldn’t be here today without their speedy actions and I can’t thank them enough for everything they did for me that day.
"I’d also like to thank the air ambulance for everything they did. I’m very lucky to be here, and I’m looking forward to one day playing walking football again."
Community nurse Karen Stonier recalled the incident: "This was a challenging situation as you might imagine, but both myself and colleagues put our training into practice, and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we’re very thankful it worked out well. The rugby club having a defibrillator on site definitely helped to save Mr Walley’s life, and I thank their staff for acting so quickly.
"I’m so proud of everyone's collective efforts which enabled Mr Walley to be treated and sent home to recover to hopefully live a long and happy life." Liz Lockett, Chief Nurse and Director of Quality & Professional Leadership, added: "I’m enormously proud of our staff for acting swiftly and professionally in coming to the aid of Mr Walley. Their actions epitomise MPFT’s values and we wish Mr Walley and his family all the very best."
