A 21-month-old toddler has a 111 health advisor and ambulance crews to thank for the care he received last year.
Parents of Theo, Kayleigh and Ben, were able introduce their young son to the amazing team at the Trust’s Medway Make Ready Centre when they reunited there recently.
The family from Chatham, Kent, thanked the team for what they did for them on the morning of Wednesday, 20 November, when young Theo started struggling to breathe.
Concerned for his health, Kayleigh and Ben phoned NHS 111 after Theo had been suffering from a raspy cough and breathing difficulties for around 48 hours. As his condition worsened, leaving him unable to sleep, uninterested in food or milk, and struggling for breath, the parents turned to 111 for help and spoke to Health Advisor Hazel Collins.
Hazel triaged the call and categorised it as a Category 2 emergency, while Resource Dispatcher Lauren O’Leary coordinated a response, sending Paramedics Isaac Ferreira and crewmate Paul Rixon to the family’s home.
Isaac and Paul assessed Theo and administered a nebuliser to ease his breathing. Following their advice, Theo was transported to Medway Maritime Hospital, where he was treated for asthma.
During their visit to the Medway Make Ready Centre, Kayleigh and Ben had the chance to personally thank Hazel, Lauren, and Isaac as well as touring the facility where the saw where both 999 and 111 calls come into, and how they are dispatched. Theo, now fully recovered, was back to his lively and energetic self.
If you suspect that your child has asthma, early treatment will help to control symptoms and possibly prevent asthma attacks.
“Isaac’s bedside manner with our 18-month-old son was exemplary. This was our son’s first interaction with a paramedic, and we’re grateful that it was with someone like Isaac,” said Kayleigh. “He was patient, attentive, and skilfully navigated treating and assessing a very upset toddler. He swept in knowing exactly what he was doing but listened to us as concerned parents.”
Lauren said, “It was a privilege to meet Kayleigh, Ben, and little Theo, and it was so kind of them to take the time to come and thank us in person. I really enjoyed giving them an insight into the role I played and how our dispatch functions operate.”
Hazel added, “It’s always rewarding to know that the work we do has such a positive impact on families like Theo’s. Hearing how well he’s doing now is wonderful, and it was a pleasure to meet him and his parents in person.”
Isaac said, “Seeing Theo happy and healthy was such a joy and I’m so glad we were able to help them in their time of need.”