Grandmother Gail Dewhurst thanks lifesavers after heart attack
Published: 00:01, 15 July 2018
A grandmother from Rainham has thanked the paramedics who saved her life after a heart attack.
Gail Dewhurst collapsed at a home with severe chest pain shortly after 6am on March 19.
Her arm had been hurting for two days before which she had put down to carrying her grandson Braden, but in hindsight she realises it was a warning sign.
The 62-year-old visited the crew at Medway Ambulance Station in Chatham and met with paramedics Danny Edwards and ambulance technician Phil Woods
She said: “It’s was really good to meet Danny and Phil. Everyone did a really good job and I think it’s important to acknowledge the good work which is taking place across the NHS. I’m extremely grateful.”
Sittingbourne paramedic, Lee Smith, was the first at the scene in a single response vehicle. After assessing Gail, he realised she was seriously unwell and likely to need specialist treatment at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
Danny and Phil soon arrived and got Gail ready to be taken to hospital, where she received treatment and was discharged five days later.
Danny said: “It’s really nice to see Gail looking well again. It was clear she was extremely unwell and needed urgent specialist treatment.
“We’re just one part of the chain and key to her recovery was the care she received at hospital.
“In the nicest possible sense, I hope to never see Danny or Phil again" - Gail Dewhurst
“It was lovely to see her face-to-face and on behalf of my colleagues I wish her and her family all the very best for the future.”
Gail, a retired nurse, visited the station with her daughters Clare, Karen and grandson Braiden.
She added: “In the nicest possible sense, I hope to never see Danny or Phil again.
“But, if I or any of my family do ever need the help of the ambulance service again, I hope it’s them who attend.”
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