Young Alfie gets to meet his lifesavers

Five year old Alfie from Chelmsford, along with his mum Sara and sister, Amber, spent the morning with some of our EEAST staff recently. This play date wasn’t just any old play date though, as on 29^th November, 2016, these people saved Alfie’s life.

Alfie’s mum Sara initially thought something wasn’t quite right. She said: “Alfie seemed really drowsy and was not being himself”. When he started lapsing in and out of consciousness, Sara dialled 999.

An ambulance with Emergency Medical Technician Debbie Quirk and Student Paramedic Elliot Jones arrived eight minutes later, but by this time Alfie had stopped breathing. Whilst Debbie and Elliot began treating him, Emergency Care Assistant Stuart Wilkinson and Emergency Medical Technician Tessa Mochrie were on their way to help too.

Once they arrived, Alfie was taken straight to Broomfield Hospital, with the crews meeting up with Senior Paramedic Helen Byford and Student Paramedic Kevin Brooks for support. After Alfie’s initial treatment at Broomfield hospital he was transported to St Mary’s Hospital in London for more care.

Alfie has since made a good recovery and enjoyed his time with Stuart, Debbie, Tessa and Elliot, who were able to attend the meet up at Chelmsford ambulance station. He fed the fish in the infamous pond, was shown around an ambulance and rapid response vehicle, and he also showed Stuart how you should really apply a bandage!

Of the day, mum Sara says; “It means a lot to me to be able to thank them all in person. I couldn’t have asked for a better level of service or care. The affection we were shown on that day and the weeks after meant the world to me”.

To sum up the experience, Debbie said, “Alfie’s story is a great example of everyone’s effective team work, and in his case, it saved his life”.

Published 4th May, 2017