“Can you let the guys know I won’t be at golf this week?”
Those are what would have been Steve Hirst’s final words to his wife had he not had life-saving treatment following an aortic dissection at his home in Lichfield earlier this year.
Almost five months ago, in January, Steve was having a cup of tea when he he suddenly felt that something wasn’t right and told his wife, Lindsay: “You need to call an ambulance”.
West Midlands Ambulance Service Operations Manager Ash Bolus was first on scene from our Lichfield Hub in a matter of minutes and was joined by Paramedic Beth Hancock and Technician Keith Ennis. Ash also made the call early on to request the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford as Steve was showing signs and symptoms of internal bleeding.
Incredibly, 85% of patients who suffer an aortic dissection don’t make it into theatre, let alone survive, something which Lindsay says has “really hit home in recent months”.
Steve said: “They saved my life. They arrived so quickly it was almost like they were in our back garden!
“The work they do is just incredible and finding out just how much went into saving my life, the decisions they had to make and how close I was to not pulling through is hard to wrap my head around.
“I really could never thank them enough.”
Ordinarily, ambulance crews don’t get to see the outcome of their hard work once the patient has left their care and gone into hospital, so being able to meet Steve was an amazing opportunity, as Ash explained.
He said: “To get closure, especially from a job like this where Steve was in such a critical condition that there were times we didn’t know whether he’d make it, is extra special.
“It brings a great amount of pride and job satisfaction, knowing we have worked together as a team to bring the best possible outcome to our patient.
“We wish Steve a happy and healthy life with his wife, Lindsay.”
Lindsay said: “I try not to think about it, but the stars truly aligned in our favour that day. Typically on a Monday, Steve would be out walking the dogs somewhere remote so the fact we were both at home is a miracle, really.
“This gratitude undoubtedly starts with the 999 operator who helped me over the phone, the first responder, Ash, who arrived at our home to take over and the paramedics who arrived shortly afterwards. Without their knowledge, experience and quick responses, the outcome of the day would undoubtedly have been very different.”
Almost 20 weeks on, Steve’s back playing golf.
ENDS