Firefighter owes life to UHNM specialist cardiac team
999: Critical Condition : Firefighter owes life to UHNM specialist cardiac team
The final episode of hit TV show 999: Critical Condition, filmed exclusively at University Hospital of North Midlands, gives a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in its major trauma centre and features staff who treating some of the most challenging of life-threatening injuries and illnesses.
The episode, which is due to be aired on Thursday on Channel 5 at 9pm features former Shropshire firefighter Michael Mounsey who is having his fourth heart attack in four years.
Today Michael, from Oswestry, said: “I was at my brother’s house and I knew straight away I was having another heart attack because it happened before. It was my fourth one and for a while I tried to convince myself it was nothing but then I thought I better dial 999. I was helicoptered straight to Royal Stoke and the cardiology team were waiting for me as I arrived.”
The 43-year-old was assessed by one the Trust’s specialist cardiac assessment nurses who provide a 24 hour service supporting the emergency department in Stoke before having the clot removed.
In the episode Dr Rob Butler, consultant cardiologist, said: “When the artery is blocked, if you do nothing, all the muscle beyond the blockage would die and that part of the heart would stop beating normally. So the quicker you open it the more of the heart muscles survive.”
Father-of-four Michael thanks staff at the Royal Stoke for saving his life on more than one occasion. He said: “The team at Stoke have saved my life more than once so I literally owe my life to them. The care I have received has been awesome and their professionalism fills you will confidence that you are in safe hands.”
Michael has been diagnosed with a blood condition which causes his blood to clot and block his arteries. Due to his condition he has been retired from the fire service and now has to take medication to control the clotting to prevent a further heart attack.
“Having the heart attacks and being diagnosed with a heart condition has been totally life-changing for me but I am grateful for what I have got and thankful I am still here,” Michael said
The final episode also features 28-year-old Katrina who is hit by a car while crossing the road and 72-year-old Trevor who has fallen off his shed roof.