Hospital staff save man's life as he suffered cardiac arrest in taxi after arriving at hospital on wrong day

A Glasgow man who suffered a cardiac arrest in a taxi after arriving at hospital for an appointment on the wrong day has thanked hospital staff for saving his life.

John Sinclair set off for Stobhill Hospital to attend a routine appointment, before suffering a cardiac arrest in a taxi as it arrived at the front door.

The 64-year-old was given CPR in the taxi after the driver, Charlie Matthews, raised the alarm to hospital staff who rushed outside to help.

A defibrillator, medicines, fluids and other emergency equipment were brought out from the hospital to save John’s life.

John Sinclair, from Springburn, was travelling by taxi to what he thought was a routine appointment when he suffered a cardiac arrest NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

After four rounds of CPR and five shocks from the defibrillator, his 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 was able to return home on September 9.

However, it was later revealed that the 64-year-old’s appointment wasn’t actually until the following day. His family described his decision to go to hospital a day early as “fate”.

After recovering, John returned to Stobhill to meet and thank some of the people who had helped save his life.

John said: “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 and does not have an accident and emergency department.

Instead, it has a stand-alone Minor Injuries Unit, alongside a wide range of planned and specialist services including Day Surgery, Endoscopy and Gynaecology.

As a result, Stobhill staff found themselves responding to a completely unexpected medical emergency, working together to provide John with immediate life-saving care.

Dr David Macpherson, consultant anaesthetist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “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.”

Susan Groom, interim director for the North Sector at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, added: “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.”