Home visiting team spring into action during cardiac arrest

Quick thinking and calm teamwork helped save a life when a home visiting team came across a medical emergency on their way to a routine call.

Dr Matthew Gandy, GP, Dr Thomas Mantle, and Craig Woolfenden, care co-ordinator, were on their way to an urgent home visit when they spotted a man lying on the ground, with two police officers performing CPR.

The team pulled over immediately. Realising the patient was in cardiac arrest, they quickly applied defibrillator pads, and a shock was advised and delivered, followed by oxygen support.

After a further round of CPR, paramedics and a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service crew arrived and took over patient care, allowing the team to continue to their home visit.

Dr Gandy said the response to the incident was a great example of colleagues stepping up when it mattered most.

"I am very proud of Craig and Dr Mantle. Both had no hesitation in stopping and helping the patient,” he said.

“Craig was calm and composed as he took over the call to the paramedics. He also made sure to keep in contact with the clinical hub care co-ordinators as well as calling ahead to the patient and district nurses who we were due to visit. Dr Mantle didn’t hesitate to take charge of the defibrillator to help the patient before the paramedics arrived. I was very grateful to have them both there.”

The team later learned that the patient’s heart had started beating again on its own and was transferred to the cardiac centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, with the likely cause identified as an arrhythmia following a previous heart attack.

To find out more about gtd healthcare's home visiting team, please email gtd.corporateaffair@nhs.net.