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Off-duty nurse saves the life of a great-grandfather – then looks after him in hospital

A quick-thinking nurse used a defibrillator to save an older patient's life and then cared for him once he was in hospital.
l-r Margaret Cooper, James Cooper and Kelly King

An off-duty nurse performed life-saving first aid on a great-grandfather after he collapsed and then cared for him throughout his time in hospital.

l-r Margaret Cooper, James Cooper and Kelly King
(l-r) Margaret Cooper, James Cooper and Kelly King

James Cooper, 82, had a cardiac arrest and collapsed in Starbucks in Solihull shopping centre in May while on a day out with his wife Margaret.

Quick thinking help

Kelly King, a nurse on the cardiology ward at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, was in the coffee shop at the time and sprang into action.

She and another customer administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Mr Cooper and she then used a defibrillator from the shopping centre on him.

Mr Cooper was taken by ambulance to the emergency department at Heartlands Hospital.

He was then transferred to Ms King’s ward, where she cared for him throughout his time there.

Full recovery

He has now made a full recovery and Mr Cooper and his wife of 61 years made a surprise return to the ward to thank Ms King.

Ms King said: ‘It threw me quite a bit as I had no team with me but luckily I was able to use the automatic defibrillator. It was just instinct.’

Mr Cooper said: ‘It was a case of right place, right time. I can’t thank her enough.’

He added: ‘I am very grateful for everyone that cared for me whilst I was here. Everyone was always going round with a smile on their face, always happy, it was lovely.’

The couple presented Ms King with a compassion card, part of a scheme launched last year by Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Heartlands Hospital, to recognise nurses who go the extra mile for patients.

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