Patient Thanks Stobhill Hospital Team After Life-Saving Emergency
A man who suffered a cardiac arrest at the hospital gates was saved by quick-thinking staff and a defibrillator.
By Kirsty Lennox
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of emergency lights reflecting on wet pavement outside a hospital at night.
A 64-year-old man has returned to Stobhill Hospital to thank the staff who saved his life after he suffered a cardiac arrest on arrival.
John Sinclair, 64, from Springburn, was travelling by taxi to Stobhill when he experienced a cardiac arrest as the vehicle reached the hospital. The taxi driver, Charlie Matthews, noticed something was wrong and immediately raised the alarm. Hospital staff rushed outside to assist.
Nurses from the Day Surgery unit began CPR on Mr Sinclair in the taxi, while colleagues brought a defibrillator, medicines, fluids, and other emergency equipment from the hospital. Working in torrential rain and outside their usual clinical setting, the teams collaborated to save his life.
Following four rounds of CPR and five defibrillator shocks, Mr Sinclair's circulation was successfully restored. He was transferred to the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital for specialist cardiac treatment and intensive care, before continuing his recovery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He returned home on 9 September.
Remarkably, Mr Sinclair's appointment was scheduled for the following day. His daughter, Donna, described his decision to attend a day early as fate, suggesting that had he been at home, no one might have known he was in distress.
Upon recovering, Mr Sinclair returned to Stobhill with his family to express his gratitude to those who helped save him. He stated, “I don’t remember what happened that morning, but I know just how lucky I am. Having the chance to come back to Stobhill and meet the people who helped save my life means so much to me and my family. I’ll never be able to thank them enough.”
Stobhill is an ambulatory care hospital without an A&E department, featuring a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) and various specialist services accessed by appointment or via NHS 24. On this occasion, staff from across the hospital responded to an unexpected medical emergency, providing immediate life-saving care.
“
"What happened that morning was completely unexpected, but staff didn’t hesitate. CPR was started immediately, equipment was brought outside and colleagues worked together in extremely challenging circumstances. The best part of this story is seeing John well again and welcoming him and his family back to Stobhill. For the team to meet the person whose life they helped save was incredibly special."
“
"John’s story is an extraordinary example of our staff responding to a completely unexpected situation with skill, professionalism and compassion. We’re incredibly proud of everyone who stepped in to help at Stobhill that morning, as well as the teams involved in his ongoing care and recovery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. It’s wonderful to see John recovering so well and to have welcomed him and his family back to Stobhill to meet some of the people who helped save his life."
