Heart specialists praise Canaries

Heart specialists at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital today paid tribute to Norwich City FC’s medical response set up and stressed the importance of automatic defibrillators in public places.

At Saturday’s game against Brentford a Norwich City fan had a heart attack in the Jarrold stand. One of the first on the scene was season-ticket holder and cardiology specialist nurse Simon Bowles. Simon and two GPs who were sitting nearby attended the stricken fan and carried out life support. They were then able to make use of one of Carrow Road’s automated electronic defibrillators (AEDs).

Simon said: “It makes a real difference having access to an automated electronic defibrillator and it gives you a fighting chance. The club stewards, British Red Cross and East of England ambulance staff were on hand quickly and all praise to them. The patient’s now comfortable and on the road to recovery.”

The fan was taken by ambulance to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and is now comfortable in the Coronary Care Unit. Saturday’s drama comes only a month after another Norwich City fan had a heart attack at a game and made a good recovery after treatment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

NNUH consultant cardiologist Dr Liam Hughes, who was also at Saturday’s game, has today written to Norwich City Football Club to praise the club’s readiness for the two medical emergencies.