'Guardian angel' UHNM nurse presented with Daisy Award

A UHNM nurse who helped save the life of a Stoke-on-Trent grandad of nine has been presented with a prestigious national award.

Angela Hulstone, Lead Nurse for University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust’s (UHNM) Alcohol Liaison Team, was enjoying an evening out with her partner at Oakhill Bowling and Recreation Club last March when Alan Boulton suffered a cardiac arrest.

Without hesitation Angela started performing CPR on Alan and was able to use a nearby defibrillator to restart his heart before paramedics arrived.

Last week Alan surprised Angela at work at the Royal Stoke with a Daisy Award, given out to extraordinary nurses for their exemplary, compassionate care that they provide to patients and families every day.

Alan now refers to Angela as his “guardian angel”.

The 80-year-old from Trent Vale said: “I was playing snooker with a friend and started getting breathless and then passed out. After a call for anybody medically trained went out from the bar, luckily Angela responded. She gave me CPR for a couple of minutes before starting my heart again using the defibrillator outside the club. Words cannot say how grateful I am to my guardian angel.”

After being presented with her Daisy Award by Alan, Angela said: “I’m amazed to receive this award, I wasn’t expecting it at all. The fact that Alan is here and looking so well reward enough for me. I’m so happy to see him in the club again playing his snooker.

“As Alan was being wheeled to the ambulance we was awake, alert and talking- the paramedics were amazed with him.”

Ann-Marie Riely, Chief Nurse at UHNM said: “I’m delighted to of helped present Angela with her Daisy Award, something that is recognised across the world with registered nurses. Angela’s quick thinking and brave actions helped to save Alan’s life, and I’m proud to have her in our team here at UHNM.”

The pair are now good friends and see each other at ‘the club’ each Friday, where Angela has been made a lifetime member.