Patient returns to visit porter 'who saved my life'

A former patient has returned to Darlington Memorial Hospital to present staff with a cheque for over £1,000.

Sixty five year old Brian Day, who has learning difficulties, spent over two months in hospital earlier this year including over two weeks in intensive care.

Brian returned to the hospital with his mother Margaret Lovelady and sister Sharon Day to present £1, 135 to staff from the intensive care unit and the hospital's portering service, who he credits with 'saving his life'.

Brian can't remember much of his time in hospital but said about hospital porter Jamie Walton "this man saved my life".  

Jamie was taking Brian for a CT scan when he suffered a cardiac arrest. Jamie began chest compressions while pushing the trolley and took the decision to take Brian back to A&E resus for treatment.  

Jamie said: "Instinct just kicked in and I started chest compressions, while also trying to push Brian along on the trolley. I decided it would be better to go to the A&E resuscitation area and shouted for a staff nurse to go and let them know we were coming. I visited Brian on the wards a couple of times but it is lovely to see him now back on his feet."

Brian lives in Newton Aycliffe with his parents and mum Margaret said: "It is so nice to see Jamie and the staff on ITU. Everything happens so quickly at the time so we just wanted to come back and say thank you."

Brian and his family have raised £1,135 for the ITU and the portering service through a live music night in Newton Aycliffe with donations and support for a raffle and tombola from friends and local businesses.

Dianne Cruickshank, ITU senior sister at Darlington Memorial Hospital said: "It has been lovely to see Brian again and we are very grateful for the kind donation, we really appreciate it and it will make a difference. We're pleased to also recognise Jamie and the porters who provide such a great service to us; we'd be lost without them."