Scots mum gets second chance at life after contracting 'flesh-eating bug'

A Scots mum has been given a second chance at life and has become a nurse after contracting a “flesh-eating bug” during Covid.

Ashley Sneddon from Rutherglen, who contracted necrotising fasciitis, is one of more than 500 newly qualified nurses and midwives to have joined NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde this year.

The 32-year-old has just started a job at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit and is loving her new role, but says she’s aware her life could have been very different.

Ashley, who is a single parent to a ten-year-old son, fell ill in March 2020 and spent three weeks in hospital much of that time in critical care.

Ashley Sneddon from Rutherglen, is one of more than 500 newly qualified nurses and midwives to have joined NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde this year. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

She had contracted the flesh-eating bug, which is an infection that kills the body’s soft tissue.

It is a rare and life-threatening infection that can happen if a wound gets infected.

“The NHS basically saved my life,” she said, “and it was that experience that made me want to change direction.

“My recovery was fairly fast, but I do feel I was given a second chance at life and my illness left me looking at what I wanted to do with my future.”

Ashley decided to devote her life to helping others and studied nursing at university.

The National Spinal Injuries Unit is a service based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital that looks after people from all over Scotland who suffer spinal injury through trauma or illness.

“To be honest, I nearly missed the place when I first came here,” she said. “It’s such an unassuming building, and from the outside you’d never know the incredible work they do.

“I loved my time there, so I’m delighted that I’m back here working and beginning my career in this unit.

“My new colleagues are so lovely and supportive, and the opportunities to learn and improve my skills here are huge. After what’s happened to me I’m going to grab this chance with both hands!”

Ashley is one of a number of newly qualified nurses who joined the National Spinal Injuries Unit this year, and Lead Nurse Helena Richmond said: “On behalf of everyone at the unit, I would like to welcome Ashley, and all our newly qualified nurses.

“Nursing is a wonderful profession, and I’ll look forward to working with them all and supporting them through this exciting early part of their careers.

“From my short time with them so far, this year’s intake seem a fantastic bunch. The learning opportunities here are immense and I have every confidence that they’ll quickly become highly valued members of the Spinal Injuries team.”

Ashley added: “I’d wanted to be a nurse, but I thought that after so many years out of education I wouldn’t be able to manage it.

“But there’s always a way – and if anyone else feels they want to achieve something great with their life, all I’d say is, if you really want it and give it your all, everyone can achieve their dream.”